Thanks to social media accounts such as Libs of TikTok on Twitter, America has been given a close-up look at the “inappropriate” people who are currently tasked with educating our youth, but backlash over a curvy New Jersey art teacher’s form-fitting outfits have many questioning if the pendulum is swinging too far the other way toward judging people based on their looks rather than their job performance.
The teacher, known only by her Instagram handle, “@ToyboxDollz,” has been blasted online for her wardrobe, which doesn’t apologize for her hourglass figure.
In several of her posts, the teacher proudly shared pictures of herself in the classroom.
It’s not that her clothes are revealing or — they just fit her so well.
“Just two weeks left of school!” she captioned one photo. “With God’s blessing, I made it through another year!”
She discussed the importance of putting her own feelings aside and concentrating on the needs of her students when she enters her classroom.
“Check yourself at the door, and put on that teacher cape,” she said. “We matter!”
But many were apparently too focused on the way her knee-length dress hugged her waistline to notice her message of inspiration.
The outfits, say some parents on social media, are just too much.
“You’re sad, taking booty pics during class??!?!?!” exclaimed one Instagram user in response to one of her posts.
“You’re in a classroom taking Instagram pictures with your a– out,” stated another, according to the New York Post. “Showing pictures in the class with your butt in the air is very inappropriate.”
“That just looks crazy and makes you desperate for likes,” ranted a third.
The fashion-conscious educator went live on Instagram to defend herself and her reputation as a teacher in a 14-minute video.
View this post on Instagram
(Video: Instagram)
“I have seen some men said some crazy, mean stuff, but I teach babies and there are no haters in the classroom thinking of that,” she said.
“I’m a really, really good teacher,” she stressed. “I had students emailing me during the summer asking me for homework. They love art. I love teaching art. I love working with children to create art.”
Supporters of the influential teacher who has amassed an astounding 876,000 followers of her @Toyboxdollz account rallied around her in praise of her passion for her job.
“That’s right honey!” wrote one of her fans. “I’m proud of you!”
“I cannot believe these parents have the nerve to say that 5-year-olds are being distracted by you!!” exclaimed another. “How?? No child is even looking at you in that way. This screams insecurity.”
“Don’t let them bother you,” urged a third. “You are doing your job. You seem like a great teacher.”
The controversy has sparked a conversation about the line between “body-positive” and being “inappropriate,” especially considering, by all accounts, the teacher actually is “really, really good.”
“There are some mom’s in NJ that want this lady fired for being too sexy as a kindergarten teacher!” wrote one user on Twitter, where the story has taken on a new life. “Do you think this is too much? Should she cover up MORE or let her body go so she can be NORMAL?”
https://twitter.com/theiobtweets/status/1562902161776050176?s=20&t=xAYDCKka9tb0Zm1kJlGWbQ
And over on YouTube, rapper Fat Joe (aka: Joseph Antonio Caragena) has expressed his support for keeping the teacher in the classroom.
“They’re trying to fire her because she too sexy,” he stated. “She too beautiful. She’s too curvaceous.”
“I say let the woman be great,” he continued, “Can you fire somebody for their looks? Can you fire a teacher that’s ugly? How can you fire a teacher because she bad?”
(Video: YouTube)
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Melissa Fine is the former executive editor of Casino Player, Strictly Slots, and Poker
Digest magazines. She is a UCLA graduate, news junkie, and dedicated Stargate SG-
1 fan. Melissa currently lives with her dog and two cats in a tiny town in the Sierra
Nevada foothills.
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