Kaleb Tierce
Posted by Webmaster in Coaches, English Teachers, High Schools, ME-UNKNOWN, Texas(10/10/08 – Initial BadBadTeacher.com Report)
Kaleb Tierce, 26, a former English teacher and coach at Jim Ned High School, in Tuscola, Texas has been indicted by a Taylor County grand jury on one count of an improper relationship between an educator and a student and two counts of attempted improper relationship between an educator and student.
Tierce turned himself in to authorities this afternoon and was subsequently released on bond of $10,000 per-count.
Tierce taught pre-Advanced Placement English and was an assistant football coach until he was placed on paid administrative leave in October 2007 when the parents of a ninth-grader filed a complaint with the sheriff’s office against Tierce.
Tierce reportedly assigned the Cormac McCarthy book “Child of God” to the girl for a book report. The book has graphic depictions of sex and violence which apparently offended the girl’s parents, James and Sonja Rhodes. Reportedly the Rhodes first complained to the school and then to the Sheriff. This in spite of the book being on the “approved list” of the school.
School district officials did not renew Tierce’s contract for the 2008-2009 school year.
Webmaster’s notes: Typically we only link to information pertaining to the criminal cases we cover. However in this instance it is the opinion of the webmaster of this site that the prior history of the efforts of some in the tiny community of Tuscola, Texas to figuratively crucify Kaleb Tierce is relevant to the current criminal case. Therefore we are including links to news reports from October and November, 2007 detailing the events that occurred since those events may figure into and/or motive the current criminal charges against Kalbe Tierce.
10/13/08 – Details Of Allegations Released
More information has come available on the details of the allegations against Kaleb Tierce.
The allegations center on three female former students and allege acts to have occurred in 2005.
It is alleged that Tierce in one incident kissed and exposed himself to one student. It is also alleged that he told another student that he “always wanted to be with a black girl” and asked “what she would be willing to do for a better grade.” And it is further alleged that he told a third student that “she could flash him and let him touch her boobs or she could give him” oral sex.
References:
Abilene teacher accused of propositioning 3 students (10/13/08)
Ex-Jim Ned teacher allegedly sought sexual favors (10/13/08)
Former Jim Ned teacher indicted (10/10/08)
Historical Reports:
Teacher says he hadn’t read ‘Child of God’ (11/12/07)
Define “harmful material” (10/24/07)
Banned at Jim Ned (10/20/07)
Teacher Suspended Over Controversial Book (10/16/07)
Entries (RSS)
October 18th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
As a former colleague of Kaleb and a teacher of his accusers, I am saddened to see his picture on this site.
Please check out the Disclaimer on the bottom of this page. “Descriptions and verbiage on these pages have not been investigated.”
A bad-bad investigator (who just happened to work with the dad of the girl who CHOSE to read that book),
a bad-bad district attorney (who also works with the father, and is a good enough friend
to help the family as they moved to a new house)
and some spoiled brat girls who didn’t get their way
Should face charges themselves.
October 14th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
I have been teaching for 20 years and I find it very distressing to see other teachers behaving in such a disgusting manner. It is equally distressing to see so many people defending them. This is a troubling time in our society, first that teachers would take advantage of their students in such a vile manner and secondly, that people have no sense of discernment any more about this type of immoral behavior. Teachers who commit these types of crimes need to be removed from the teaching profession ASAP.
The book and the required reading list are really moot points here. And by the way, the duty of the school system is to serve the public who pays the bills. If a parent desires to opt their student out of an activity or assignment, that is their right as a parent and a taxpayer.
The bottom line is this: Students need to have a safe environment in which they can learn. Get rid of teachers who are predators, stop defending them and open your eyes. And stop putting them on leave so that the tax payer has to continue paying their salary plus the salary of a substitute. A double waste of money.
October 13th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Excuse me for being stupid, but what did the teacher do wrong? Wasn’t the book on the “approved list”? Were other students assigned the book for a book report? This sounds like a problem I had with parents being overly protective of their daughter. I’ve got news for these people – their daughter will encounter a whole lot more in her life and it will be far worse than any book will expose her to.
If this is all there is to this case – I, too, hope the teacher sues the fire out of somebody!
October 13th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
I grew up with Kaleb and this is all very sad.
I remember him as a kind, sweet and honest person and can’t even imagine he woud do anything like this.
It’s sad how everyone is pointing fingers at this one teacher who was doing his job. The book was on an approved list. The “district” itself should be held responsible for this.
As for being concerned about this book–I could understand if your children are in Elementary and Middle School, BUT this is High School. A place where you prepare for the real world. I’m sure you’ll see more depictions of sex and violence walking down the hallways than in that book. But I’ve never read it and this is only an opinon.
As for improper relationship, what excactly is this. I think they are just on whitch hunt on this poor teacher to take your eyes off the “district”.
October 12th, 2008 at 12:48 am
This is probably the first and last time I will say this on this website, but not only should this case be dismissed by the judge, but the district attorney prosecuting the case should potentially face disbarment for this absolute farce.
Barring that, the case needs to be moved as far away as possible. Failing that, forego a jury trial and put the blame before the judge where it belongs: THE DISTRICT! Chances are, someone in this case is going to end up perjuring himself or herself.
In keeping with site policies as outlined in the “Comments” page the last name of the person purported to have left this comment has been altered to an initial only by the site moderator.
October 11th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
I’m sure Mr. Tierce did a lot of good because he has quite a loyal following; but, that does not make him exempt from the rules. The rules he allegedly broke have probably ruined his teaching career, but he can find another career, and he can learn from this mistake.
The procedure for making the “approved reading list” is unacceptable. Embarrassing.
The school board and the high school principal also were negligent in their duties. Who is going to slap their hands? They didn’t act like officials. They acted like the students did–closing their EYES, refusing to believe the popular Mr. Teirce was capable of such acts. Students wore arm bands in support of Tierce, and this was allowed! Shame on you Jim Ned High School principal / administrators. You are failing the students with your mishandling of this incident.
October 11th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
all of this crap about coach tierce is (*******) me off because i knew the man. He was a great role model for me and i think that the kids parents need to realize that their daughter is going to go through a lot more stuff in life. and they over reacted and took away a great teacher and friend he was some one that i could look to advice about stuff and other things
This comment has been edited by site moderator in accordance with site policies as outlined in the “Comments” page.
October 11th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
This teacher should sue the school district for damages since the school district, not the teacher, developed the ‘approved reading list’ of books for students which in turn caused his firing by the school district for allowing his students to pick a book from the ‘approved reading list’ for a book report.
It also sounds like the teachers and staff that made up the ‘approved reading list’ for the school district should also be charged and I’d like to see them be sued by the teacher as well.