Mass. school aide suspended over racy photos

FITCHBURG, Mass. — An elementary school classroom aide who posed for racy modeling photos has been suspended with pay.

Photos of 23-year-old Kaitlin Pearson were sent anonymously to the school on Friday, Fitchburg schools superintendent Andre Ravenelle told the Sentinel & Enterprise for a story published Wednesday.

Pearson has worked as a full-time classroom assistant in one of South Street Elementary School’s special education programs since November after graduating from college last year. She has appeared scantily clad in multiple amateur shoots, including for ModelsMania magazine in September.

The school is investigating whether Pearson’s second job affects her ability to work with children, Ravenelle said.

Photos also were sent to the Sentinel & Enterprise with a note, typed in all capital letters, that read, “Can you believe that this girl was hired to work with special education children in the Fitchburg schools?!!”

The school didn’t Google Pearson before hiring her, nor is that standard procedure for any employee, Ravenelle said. Pearson underwent all hiring procedures including a background check, which she passed, he said.

Pearson, in a message to an Associated Press reporter on Facebook, said she couldn’t comment because of legal issues. A message seeking comment was left with the Fitchburg Teachers Union.

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