Sorry, you can't be a teacher! You are too attractive - Italy

Angry parents withdrew pupil from prestigious Milan school because teacher 'was too sexy'

By NICK PISA
Last updated at 12:08 PM on 21st October 2010

A former beauty queen has sparked fury among parents at an Italian school who claims she is too attractive to be a teacher.

Ileana Tacconelli, 28, who has three degrees, has caused a storm after it emerged she was a former model and racy photographs and video footage of her were posted on the internet.

As a result, one set of angry parents withdrew their daughter from the Catholic School in Milan.

Racy: An image taken from the 'slapstick comedy' video of Ileana Tacconelli that was posted on the internet

But others - particularly fathers of students at the prestigious San Carlo Catholic High School - and the headteacher have stood by Miss Tacconelli.

The row erupted after one mother complained to the headteacher Father Aldo Geranzani claiming she was 'too attractive and a distraction'.

Video of her acting in a comic sketch dressed in tight fitting hot pants and a bra then surfaced on the internet, as well as photographs of her posing in an American police uniform.

The former Miss Abruzzo - a beauty contest for a region of central Italy - was entered into the national contest but failed to win and went on to gain her teaching qualifications at university.

The story made the front page of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's family-owned newspaper, complete with an editorial explaining that the footage of her was more slapstick than soft porn as had been claimed.

Qualified: Miss Tacconelli, dubbed la maestra sexy in Italy, has three degrees and has worked at the San Carlo Catholic School in Milan for three years

Miss Tacconelli said: 'All I will say is that if I had wanted to be a model or a showgirl I would have done it when I was younger and prettier.

'I have been a teacher here for three years and I have never had any problems. There is nothing really to say and I have the backing of the school and the parents.

'The child in question left a few weeks ago and nothing else was said. These things happen all the time at schools but she has caused all this publicity because she contacted the media.

'When I heard about it I was so surprised but all the other parents and the teachers have given me their support - they have even set up a fan club for me which is very sweet.'

Osvaldo Songini, head of the upper school, said: 'Ileana passed all the very strict requirements to be a teacher here and we are very satisfied.

'She was supervised during her probation and there were no problems.

'For us here, from don Geranzani down she is an optimum teacher and she has all the qualifications needed. We knew all about her past as she never kept it hidden.'

The mother who withdrew her daughter from the school said she was disgusted with her treatment.

'All I asked for was clarity - I'm sure that two of the three degrees are not official,' she said.

'I am not a bigot but I feel betrayed - I expected more from the San Carlo especially with the reputation it has.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1322497/Angry-parents-withdrew-pupil-prestigious-Milan-school-teacher-sexy.html#ixzz1300pytWY