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A Catholic nursery school instructor has been dismissed, allegedly for compromising a “relationship of trust,” after a parent discovered her adult content page on OnlyFans. The OnlyFans controversy surrounding the educator ignited a debate about teachers’ conduct outside the classroom and the implications for their employment.
Teacher Dismissed Over OnlyFans Account
Elena Maraga, 29, found herself at the center of a controversy last month when a student’s father purportedly purchased images she was offering on the content subscription service. The situation escalated when, according to Maraga, “his wife found out” about the photos after he allegedly “distributed them to the football group.”
Suspension and Termination
Maraga was initially suspended without pay from her position at a nursery school near Treviso, Italy, in mid-March after she declined to remove her account. Despite a petition reportedly signed by 30 parents in support of her continued employment and efforts by a trade union to prevent her firing, Maraga was officially terminated on Tuesday.
School’s Justification for Dismissal
The school stated that her contract was terminated “for just cause with immediate effect,” asserting that her OnlyFans profile “contrasts with the Catholic inspiration that guides the educational direction of the school,” according to reports.
Teacher Responds to the Dismissal
The teacher, who had been in a permanent teaching role at the institution for five years, has voiced her dissatisfaction with the nursery’s decision.
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Claims of Unfair Treatment
“They sent me a letter saying I was fired for inappropriate conduct because the trust relationship has been damaged. I find it 100% unfair,” she stated, adding that “taking compromising photos has never compromised my professionalism at work.” This OnlyFans controversy raises fundamental questions about privacy and professional ethics.
Maraga said she started her OnlyFans channel because her teaching salary of around 1,200 euros (£1,000) a month is ‘unsustainable’ on its own.
“I like myself, I turned my passion for my body into a way to earn income. I don’t understand what the problem is,” she explained.
Impact of Media Interviews
While Maraga’s termination was initially uncertain, the school has indicated that her public pronouncements in media interviews expedited the decision to dismiss her.
The nursery contends that her public statements have “irreparably damaged the element of trust: we cannot continue the employment relationship.”
Maraga has not yet decided if she will challenge her dismissal but has characterized her termination as an “injustice.” She asserts that her former employer “attacked me, saying I was seeking media attention” and claims that they “never wanted to talk to me” about the matter.
“They have always acted with letters and have never wanted dialogue. I am surprised that a Catholic school that preaches morality treats an employee in this way,” she added.
Parental and Public Reaction
Maraga’s situation has garnered support from some parents, who continue to commend her “fantastic” work with children and argue that her “outside” employment does not affect her ability to teach.
Support from Parents
“There are some mothers who want to support me. They want me to continue teaching their children,” she said.
Maraga’s Stance on Balancing Careers
Maraga remains firm in her belief that she should be allowed to continue both her work on OnlyFans and her teaching career.
Personal Views on Private Life
She has stated in previous interviews that what she does on OnlyFans “does no harm to anyone… people should be allowed to do what they like in their private lives.”
“I am not ashamed of what I do,” she added, explaining that she is “adult and aware” of her actions. Her parents “know about my ‘extra work’ life and don’t agree,” but “they say that at almost 30 I can make the choices I want.”
“My body is the result of hard work in bodybuilding, I think it is right to enhance it, even economically,” she told local media outlets.
Background and Career Aspirations
Maraga, who holds a degree in Educational Sciences, began exploring alternative career paths after facing challenges as a low-paid teacher. Although she describes teaching as her “calling,” she admits to earning “much more on the Internet.”
Financial Realities and Personal Fulfillment
“I love teaching children, it’s my calling,” she stated. “I opened OnlyFans a month ago, partly for fun, partly out of curiosity, partly to see if you could really earn money. In one day, I get a month’s salary.”
She added that she is “proud of the physical results I’ve achieved” and likes to “show them off.”
Ethical Considerations and Industry Trends
The education ministry in Italy has pledged to develop a new code of ethics that would prohibit teachers from appearing on platforms like OnlyFans, according to reports. This OnlyFans controversy has expanded to a debate about ethical standards for educators.
The Growth of the Adult Entertainment Industry
The adult entertainment sector has experienced substantial growth since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with millions reportedly producing content for subscription-based sites like OnlyFans.
“I think that there was a time prior to the pandemic where the idea that someone might become a porn star was akin to saying that someone might be abducted by aliens,” said a spokesperson for the Free Speech Coalition. “I think that what the pandemic and the sort of explosion of fan content showed was that a lot of people were open to doing it.”
Risks and Discrimination
Despite the increased openness, the industry continues to carry risks. A report indicated that a significant portion of adult entertainment performers have experienced employment discrimination.
The report, based on a survey of over 600 individuals in the industry, revealed that a majority of adult creators do not have other significant sources of income.