Seminole HS teacher faced trouble over massages before

It looks like former Seminole High coach and teacher Thomas J. Anderson has been in trouble over massages before.

Just one difference - last time, Anderson was the one accused of doing the massaging.

Back in 1999, a student who served as Anderson's assistant filed a complaint against him for rubbing her shoulders and lower back. Anderson denied the charges and kept his job in exchange for a promise that there would be "no touching of any female in any way that could be interpreted as inappropriate."

Anderson resigned earlier this week rather than face dismissal over accusations that that he took a female student home during school hours. He admitted that he took her to his house, but denied the student's allegation that she gave him a massage in his bedroom.

See tomorrow's St. Petersburg Times for more details.

- Donna Winchester, Pinellas education reporter

Comments

[CCC-AIM]

We are a group of Christian adult women that have formed a mission to fight against local businesses that exploit young women for profit called CCC-AIM (Countryside Christian Center Anti-Indecency Mission). We have been successful with targeting perpetrators and raising awareness campaigns throughout the Tampa Bay Area. You'll find dozens of additional perpetrators that live among us and our children that will suprise you on our website. We are fighting to stop these disgusting human beings from exploiting the young boys and girls of Tampa Bay.

Our website is http://cccaim.blogspot.com Any help or information would be greatly appreciated. God Bless.

[Mark]

Both teacher and student made poor decisions. Yes, hold the teacher to higher standard due to age and position of authority, that's only reasonable. However, unless the 17 yr old is mentally deficient/disabled, she had to have recognized the lack of propriety. And yes, folks, sure sounds like this 17 yr old girl had her own agenda that should be addressed.

[Dave W]

Here's the problem: teachers are important people in the lives of young people. In times of crisis, young people often confide in a favorite teacher; in my high school (and I mean within the walls of school in public), girls frequently initiated hugs with many male teachers. A teacher must have a strong report with students in order to be effective, so the teacher can't just push a student away.

Here's the problem with instituting extremely strict rules regarding extra-cirricular contact: teachers are members of the community. They need babysitters, they'll pay for a kid to mow the lawn, they are instrumental in sports leagues, Scouts, and tend to be community leaders.

To assume that teachers are child predators is extremely wrong. Unfortunately, some are. But they are an incredible minority, and for whatever reason, far more prevalent in Tampa Bay then any other part of the country (but then again, so is every type of criminal).

I'll conclude by saying that background checks are necessary, as are seminars designed to protect the teacher and school from lawsuit (if the teacher protects him/herself, the student is necessarily protected).

[Leigh Ann]

What's the big deal? I had a special HS "buddy" But I was an elementary school sub.

[mike]

Mimi, we seem to have no problem prosecuting juveniles as adults for murder. Where's the difference.

[Mimi]

Obviously some don't understand adolescent brain development.Poor judgement and impulsivity is part of who they are.That is why for years there is a juvenile system.They are kids they think like kids.That's why the law gives graduated responsiblities,driving,voting signing legal contracts.These teachers know this.Hey teachers leave those kids alone!

[Andrew]

I do not understand one thing. Why did she agreed to go to his house at all? I agree he is guilty as we need air to live but she must have had her agenda to go to his house to begin with. There is always two side of the story and she should be punished for going to his house in my opinion.

[john]

Can I have his job?

[Lee Ann]

Have you noticed a pattern?

resign rehire resign rehire

The person that cleansed his Personnel file should be hung;and if some fool hired him with these allegations they should be fired as well.

Tampa Bay is becomming the laughing stock of the Free World..

Again when will there be an 800# put in place so students, parents or even ethical teachers can report these deviants anonymously...

Until there is a revolt by parents the school boards will continue their look the other way Policy

PARENTS NEED TO ATTEND SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS SO THEY CAN EXPRESS THEIR OUTRAGE..

CONTACT YOUR STATE LEGISLATOR AS WELL

AND GOV CRISTS OFFICE
THESE PREDATORS MUST BE STOPPED

THERE SHOULD BE NEW LAWS ENACTED TO FINALLY PUT A STOP TO THIS #@%&*

[Mary]

People like this have dozens of victims. Hundreds even. Hardcore pedophiles who are arrested claim to have hundreds of victims, each of whom they molest hundreds of times over a period of years.

Every victim is convinced they like it. Every victim is convinced they are the only one. Every victim that chooses not to speak up needs to know there is going to be a "next" victim.

Turning your head when the creepy coach, creepy uncle or the overly touchy so-and-so is around kids has consequences.

So she was a "troubled" girl you say...they make the best victims. Their 'troubles' indicate they may have already been victimized. Their troubles indicate they will not be believed.

Only 1/2 of one percent of children who claim to be abused are fabricating the story.

99.5% of them tell the truth. Yet, only 25% of them will ever tell authorites that something bad is happening to them.

Wake up people. Our children are being hurt.

[Mr. S]

The student is a bonehead for even being there. We're not talking about toddlers, folks. I was of decision age by 7 or so. This is silly. Unless there was duct tape or a revolver, this is ridiculous.

[Professor Feelgood]

Uhhhh...ok, just to be clear....

Taking a student, under 18, to my bedroom, in my home, during school hours, for a "massage"...
is NOT ok??

If someone had only told me earlier that this is NOT acceptable, I would have known better...

[rhm]

Who keeps giving these teachers a second chance and why are we not teaching our kids that the only contact they should have w/their teachers is in the classroom and at an arm's lenght?