Tamara Hoover, the teacher who becamse embroiled in a controversy over artistic nude photos found by her school district, has resigned:

A high school art teacher who faced termination after students saw her nude photos online has agreed to resign.

Tamara Hoover had been on paid leave since May, when students saw the photos on Flickr.com and showed them to another art teacher at Austin High School. That teacher, who was feuding with Hoover over ceramics equipment, notified administrators, according to sworn affidavits.

It’s amazing that this other teacher still has a job. She’s wasted a ton of this school district’s time and brought it a tidal wave of negative publicity.

Hoover also received a small settlement from the school:

Austin school trustees on Monday night approved by an 8-1 vote a $14,850 settlement to Austin High School art teacher Tamara Hoover in exchange for her resignation.

Hoover seems to have a lot of people in her corner (and rightfully so):

I am giving 100 percent of the net* proceeds from the sale of this painting to help provide legal aid for Tamara Hoover. She’s the Austin school district art teacher who’s career is being threatened because she is an artist. I will send these funds directly to Tamara after receipt. I am not representing a nonprofit (501c) organization, so your purchase is NOT tax deductible.

But, it is good Karma….

Tamara herself picked out this beautiful painting.

Check out the auction to see the painting and read more.

This is a bit of a change for this site. Tamara Hoover isn’t in trouble for misbehaving with a student, she’s in trouble for some photos on her Flickr account. From the CBS story:

Until they found the topless photos, Austin High School officials considered Tamara Hoover a model art teacher with a knack for helping students find their creative streaks.

Now, she’s fighting for her job.

[...]

The photos came to light as a result of a feud over ceramics equipment with another art teacher, according to sworn affidavits. Students who had seen the pictures showed the teacher, who then notified school officials.

This other teacher was apparently badmouthing Hoover in front of her class when a student offered to show her the pictures, which she then looked at, again in front of her class. She sounds like a real bitch.

I’m also surprised this is happening in Austin, Texas, I would have expected more from such a progressive city.

Tamara on the controversy:

“I’m an artist and I’m going to participate in the arts,” Hoover said. “If that’s not something they want me to do then I want to be told that. I don’t feel as if I was doing anything that was beyond expectations.”

More:

Tamara Hoover’s MySpace account