Oyster-Adam teacher arrested

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a lawyer and an O-A parent I agree that we should all listen very closely to what the prosecutor on this thread is saying.

The most important message we can give our kids is that they should go to a trusted adult whenever anything feels icky or off. The adults will worry about the other adults. We are here for the kids and they will be believed, loved, and not judged.

Unfortunately I also have a new perspective on teachers who act like buddies and peers. Adults need adult lives and adult friends. Teaching is a passion and an all-consuming commitment but a teacher is not a taller, older friend.

I am a teacher and I've been saying this since day 1. We all need healthy boundaries and teachers who treat students as their own kids do not have boundaries. I AM NOT saying that they are all up to no good. Many are simply misguided. As a teacher you students/parents are your clients. You need a certain amount of professional distance to keep the ball rolling in the right direction.

+1000

[Anonymous]

My reality on this subject: I have spent the last 10 years of my life as a parent teaching my child about predators, good touch/bad touch, stranger danger etc. I considered myself very diligent and accurate in my assessment of who predators are, and how to make sure I keep them away! Reality shows us that predators exist, and we even know that predators have a plan (possibly even subconsciously) to work their way into developing closeness with a victim. We all know that, right! My kid was in this class at OA with Mr. Peña and is currently still there. Because of that, many of us spent many hours at school sports events with GP, participated in field trips with GP, participated in parent teacher conferences with GP, and although we did our due diligence in life to the best of our ability, we did not see a red flag from a mile away. His friends did not see it, his peers did not see it, his employers did not see it, his family did not see it. It was a deep, dark, most likely very painful secret which is now exposed. Is it good that it has been exposed? Absolutely. Did any of the parent ignore the signs? No, we did not see signs regardless of how much you may "think" there were signs. If anyone had an inkling of an idea that this was a possibility, we would have addressed it immediately.

I understand where "outsiders" feel the need to express their opinion about the scenario regardless of their inside knowledge. Before now, I would have been there with you. But only now, have my eyes been opened. No matter how diligent you are, no matter how hard you try to know what other people are thinking or feeling inside their own mind, you will never know until its time. Please understand that the parents and students of OA are processing a "death" of someone who was in their lives daily, who shared significant times together, who laughed and learned together. Hindsight is 20/20, and very easy to point out from a keyboard in the privacy of your home. Please understand that everyone has the right to his/her opinion, but please do not insult the parent of this community or the school system with a 20/20 hindsight mindset. OA students, parents, teachers, friends and community need time to heal from this horrible death of what is our reality.

[Anonymous]

Interestinv point from the prosecuter's informative post that pena likely confessed to these charges because he has probably committed worse crimes.
I wondered why he confessed so quickly and thought of this.
So sad, so many parents who must be fearing the worst.

To the prosecuters and child welfare professional professionals out there-will the full truth come out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My reality on this subject: I have spent the last 10 years of my life as a parent teaching my child about predators, good touch/bad touch, stranger danger etc. I considered myself very diligent and accurate in my assessment of who predators are, and how to make sure I keep them away! Reality shows us that predators exist, and we even know that predators have a plan (possibly even subconsciously) to work their way into developing closeness with a victim. We all know that, right! My kid was in this class at OA with Mr. Peña and is currently still there. Because of that, many of us spent many hours at school sports events with GP, participated in field trips with GP, participated in parent teacher conferences with GP, and although we did our due diligence in life to the best of our ability, we did not see a red flag from a mile away. His friends did not see it, his peers did not see it, his employers did not see it, his family did not see it. It was a deep, dark, most likely very painful secret which is now exposed. Is it good that it has been exposed? Absolutely. Did any of the parent ignore the signs? No, we did not see signs regardless of how much you may "think" there were signs. If anyone had an inkling of an idea that this was a possibility, we would have addressed it immediately.

I understand where "outsiders" feel the need to express their opinion about the scenario regardless of their inside knowledge. Before now, I would have been there with you. But only now, have my eyes been opened. No matter how diligent you are, no matter how hard you try to know what other people are thinking or feeling inside their own mind, you will never know until its time. Please understand that the parents and students of OA are processing a "death" of someone who was in their lives daily, who shared significant times together, who laughed and learned together. Hindsight is 20/20, and very easy to point out from a keyboard in the privacy of your home. Please understand that everyone has the right to his/her opinion, but please do not insult the parent of this community or the school system with a 20/20 hindsight mindset. OA students, parents, teachers, friends and community need time to heal from this horrible death of what is our reality.

I don't think everyone posting on here is an "outsider", I'm not and have posted a couple of times. I second the previous post about "boundaries" and the professional relationship role of teacher and students, it is a good reminder to protect both students and teachers. We don't know what Mr. Pena may have admitted to or discussed with friends or some family members, nor know if there was anything in his background that affected him. However, we do know that Mr. Pena made a choice to be an educator, an elementary teacher starting with Kindergarten age children; he could have resigned at any time if he was losing the "battle with his demons" and sought out help. This case is tragic because so many people trusted him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The fact that you are all debating short shorts is insane. He did not wear short shorts to school at any point. My child is in this class, and trust me, GP was always appropriately dressed. Please stop commenting on things which are simply made up and gross. It's usually best to express your knowledge about things you KNOW!

You can count me in the camp of believing that offenders are going to abuse their victims no matter what they are wearing. There are good reasons to require a dress code for teachers, but preventing abuse is not one of them.

That being said, Pena was wearing shorts when he reported to school the Monday he was arrested. It's possible that he changed into pants before class began, but he was wearing shorts when he entered the school building.

Did he maybe bike to school?

He usually rode a skateboard to school.

Are you serious?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The fact that you are all debating short shorts is insane. He did not wear short shorts to school at any point. My child is in this class, and trust me, GP was always appropriately dressed. Please stop commenting on things which are simply made up and gross. It's usually best to express your knowledge about things you KNOW!

You can count me in the camp of believing that offenders are going to abuse their victims no matter what they are wearing. There are good reasons to require a dress code for teachers, but preventing abuse is not one of them.

That being said, Pena was wearing shorts when he reported to school the Monday he was arrested. It's possible that he changed into pants before class began, but he was wearing shorts when he entered the school building.

I work part time as a fitness instructor, so I'm really thrown off by people being so offended by shorts. My kids go to OA, and heck, I've picked them up in athletic clothing because there was no time to change or its hot out, sometimes shorts that are even above the knee, I hope you all don't think I'm some evil dragon now. Let's not get silly.

[Anonymous]

I find it most curious that OA parents continue to insist that there were no red flags.

Yet don't we agree this criminal predator was crossing healthy boundaries on a regular basis?

Just because you didn't recognize the red flags, doesn't mean there weren't any.

Perhaps it's now time to begin exercising some prudent judgment. Your children have a right to safe schools. Your nonjudgmental attitudes will only further protect these perverts who prey on your children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find it most curious that OA parents continue to insist that there were no red flags.

Yet don't we agree this criminal predator was crossing healthy boundaries on a regular basis?

Just because you didn't recognize the red flags, doesn't mean there weren't any.

Perhaps it's now time to begin exercising some prudent judgment. Your children have a right to safe schools. Your nonjudgmental attitudes will only further protect these perverts who prey on your children.

Agree with this. His becoming friends with students and their parents, rather than staying a teacher with proper boundaries, was a red flag. I'm certainly not blaming parents, administration, and other teachers for what happened, but certainly I hope that these kinds of relationships are not tolerated moving forward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The fact that you are all debating short shorts is insane. He did not wear short shorts to school at any point. My child is in this class, and trust me, GP was always appropriately dressed. Please stop commenting on things which are simply made up and gross. It's usually best to express your knowledge about things you KNOW!

You can count me in the camp of believing that offenders are going to abuse their victims no matter what they are wearing. There are good reasons to require a dress code for teachers, but preventing abuse is not one of them.

That being said, Pena was wearing shorts when he reported to school the Monday he was arrested. It's possible that he changed into pants before class began, but he was wearing shorts when he entered the school building.

I work part time as a fitness instructor, so I'm really thrown off by people being so offended by shorts. My kids go to OA, and heck, I've picked them up in athletic clothing because there was no time to change or its hot out, sometimes shorts that are even above the knee, I hope you all don't think I'm some evil dragon now. Let's not get silly.

I'm not talking about Mr. Pena, but am responding to your comment about picking up your children and how you were attired as a response.

At my DCPS school we have an informal dress code and athletic-wear (unless you are a coach or person in that role), short shorts or skirts, or too casual or tight clothing is not appropriate for males or female teachers. I know for a fact that the former principal at my school spoke privately to a couple of younger teachers about their clothing choices early on in their careers, and as a result they stopped wearing those clothes. The same goes for students that may wear clothing that is inappropriate, school is a place of learning and fun but people should still be dressed appropriately. Parents picking up their children dressed in athletic clothing is NOT the same issue ....

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know what DCPS or other school systems offer for followup counselling for parents and teachers? My children were raised with good touch/bad touch training at home and school, but I wasn't. I'm an OA parent at Adams and I'm not sure what we do now. The DCPS counselors left the school. There was a community solidarity event during school on Friday. People were encouraged to wear school colors and the former principal attended. I couldn't make it on last minute notice and I haven't heard about what happened. My kid's teachers and parents and staff I've run into are still upset and confused.

The initial shock may be over, but what do we do now? How do communities handle the emotional aftermath for kids and adults? I know the kids are the most important focus, but I feel unprepared and none of the adults seem to want to talk about what happens next.

TIA for any advice

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find it most curious that OA parents continue to insist that there were no red flags.

Yet don't we agree this criminal predator was crossing healthy boundaries on a regular basis?

Just because you didn't recognize the red flags, doesn't mean there weren't any.

Perhaps it's now time to begin exercising some prudent judgment. Your children have a right to safe schools. Your nonjudgmental attitudes will only further protect these perverts who prey on your children.

Agree with this. His becoming friends with students and their parents, rather than staying a teacher with proper boundaries, was a red flag. I'm certainly not blaming parents, administration, and other teachers for what happened, but certainly I hope that these kinds of relationships are not tolerated moving forward.

Interested to hear your view point in the future should this happen in a school where your kids attend. You'll understand at that point. Until then, I am sure your prudent judgment will take you to great places.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find it most curious that OA parents continue to insist that there were no red flags.

Yet don't we agree this criminal predator was crossing healthy boundaries on a regular basis?

Just because you didn't recognize the red flags, doesn't mean there weren't any.

Perhaps it's now time to begin exercising some prudent judgment. Your children have a right to safe schools. Your nonjudgmental attitudes will only further protect these perverts who prey on your children.

Agree with this. His becoming friends with students and their parents, rather than staying a teacher with proper boundaries, was a red flag. I'm certainly not blaming parents, administration, and other teachers for what happened, but certainly I hope that these kinds of relationships are not tolerated moving forward.

Interested to hear your view point in the future should this happen in a school where your kids attend. You'll understand at that point. Until then, I am sure your prudent judgment will take you to great places.

The above post seems confused. The point is that perverted teachers are less likely to be attracted to schools with established strong healthy boundaries between teachers and students. Allowing teachers to have movies and pizza with 2 or 3 kids without another adult required to be there, is plain asking for trouble, imo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find it most curious that OA parents continue to insist that there were no red flags.

Yet don't we agree this criminal predator was crossing healthy boundaries on a regular basis?

Just because you didn't recognize the red flags, doesn't mean there weren't any.

Perhaps it's now time to begin exercising some prudent judgment. Your children have a right to safe schools. Your nonjudgmental attitudes will only further protect these perverts who prey on your children.

Agree with this. His becoming friends with students and their parents, rather than staying a teacher with proper boundaries, was a red flag. I'm certainly not blaming parents, administration, and other teachers for what happened, but certainly I hope that these kinds of relationships are not tolerated moving forward.

Interested to hear your view point in the future should this happen in a school where your kids attend. You'll understand at that point. Until then, I am sure your prudent judgment will take you to great places.

The above post seems confused. The point is that perverted teachers are less likely to be attracted to schools with established strong healthy boundaries between teachers and students. Allowing teachers to have movies and pizza with 2 or 3 kids without another adult required to be there, is plain asking for trouble, imo.

Not confused at all. Really? Out of all the child molestation cases which appear in the news constantly, you believe there is a lack of prudent judgment from teachers, parents community etc.? Please don't judge based on your little knowledge of this situation. Practicing prudent judgment is what we all do, and OA has a very great parent community. Yes, in hind sight we could all have stopped a lot of tragedy worldwide, but that's not how life happens. Six years of teachers, parents etc, and not one hint of an issue. Say what you want, but don't say "Perhaps it's now time to practice some prudent judgment".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find it most curious that OA parents continue to insist that there were no red flags.

Yet don't we agree this criminal predator was crossing healthy boundaries on a regular basis?

Just because you didn't recognize the red flags, doesn't mean there weren't any.

Perhaps it's now time to begin exercising some prudent judgment. Your children have a right to safe schools. Your nonjudgmental attitudes will only further protect these perverts who prey on your children.

Agree with this. His becoming friends with students and their parents, rather than staying a teacher with proper boundaries, was a red flag. I'm certainly not blaming parents, administration, and other teachers for what happened, but certainly I hope that these kinds of relationships are not tolerated moving forward.

Interested to hear your view point in the future should this happen in a school where your kids attend. You'll understand at that point. Until then, I am sure your prudent judgment will take you to great places.

The above post seems confused. The point is that perverted teachers are less likely to be attracted to schools with established strong healthy boundaries between teachers and students. Allowing teachers to have movies and pizza with 2 or 3 kids without another adult required to be there, is plain asking for trouble, imo.

Not confused at all. Really? Out of all the child molestation cases which appear in the news constantly, you believe there is a lack of prudent judgment from teachers, parents community etc.? Please don't judge based on your little knowledge of this situation. Practicing prudent judgment is what we all do, and OA has a very great parent community. Yes, in hind sight we could all have stopped a lot of tragedy worldwide, but that's not how life happens. Six years of teachers, parents etc, and not one hint of an issue. Say what you want, but don't say "Perhaps it's now time to practice some prudent judgment".

And for your information, the "Pizza and Movie" with Mr. Pena has NOTHING to do with the current situation at all. It has no bearing on the alleged/admitted abuse, and the pizza party actually never even occurred. Please stop with the pizza and movie conversations. The greater point is that we should learn from this and stop that practice of allowing teacher time. We get it, but again, there has never been an issue with the teacher time.

[Anonymous]

Again, the point is that appropriate teacher student boundaries must be established and maintained. People need to be vigilant.