A former Auckland teacher has been deregistered after she had an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old student in the United Kingdom.
Lana Marsom, a former teacher at Mt Albert Grammar School, was dismissed from a UK school after a disciplinary hearing found she had sent text messages and met up with a female student at her school.
The Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand picked up the case after Marsom travelled back to New Zealand when she was dismissed from the UK school.
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The Teacher's Disciplinary Tribunal released a decision on Wednesday detailing the case, which said Marsom and the student had exchanged messages over Whatsapp and the student had visited Marsom's house more than once.
Marsom denied any of the interactions were sexually motivated, despite messages to the student saying she was "feeling kinky," and "horny".
She once messaged the student saying she "feels all funny inside when she sees her", according to the Teaching Council.
On one occasion, the student sent Marsom a picture of a male and said she would "f**k his brains out", to which Marsom responded with laughter.
Marsom coached the student's netball team, during which time she was aware the student was receiving help for mental illness.
She told the UK teacher's council the student was no longer vulnerable during their period of interaction, denying that her conduct could have negatively affected the student.
The Disciplinary Tribunal ruled that Marsom had committed "serious misconduct" and cancelled her New Zealand teaching registration.
Newshub.
