Teacher, 50 Shades of Grey Book As Gift Causes Suspension

A Philadelphia school teacher, Philip Aidoo, is now in trouble for buying one of his students the controversial book, “50 Shades of Grey”, for in-class reading.

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Maya Ladson, the mother of the 14-year-old student at Eastern University Academy Charter School in the East Falls section of Philadelphia, complained to school officials when she found a copy of the racy read in her son’s bag. Her son told her the book was given by his teacher.

Via NBC 10:

According to the school, Aidoo asked students for a list of books they would like to read during an independent reading period. Ladson’s son’s requested Fifty Shades of Grey. Aidoo then went online and ordered the book.

Ladson acknowledges that her son asked for the book.

“It clearly states on the cover, that the book is for mature audiences and has high sexual content,” Ladson said. “This was a 100-percent act of negligence. There should never be pornographic material purchased and distributed to a student by a school teacher.”

Eastern University Academy Charter School Chief Operating Officer Yvonne Turner calls the teacher’s actions a mistake.

“Unfortunately, Mr. Aidoo did not have an awareness of this popular book and ordered it with his own money,” she said. Turner says Aidoo also ordered books for other students, all of which were G-rated.

“I find it highly unlikely that a teacher who teaches reading and has a classroom for sustained silent reading period is unaware of contents of material that he’s giving to the students, let alone the material being pornographic material,” Ladson told NBC10.com.

Once Aidoo’s purchase was brought to the school’s attention by Ladson, officials immediately launched an investigation, according to Turner.

Officials met with Ladson and Aidoo and made a recommendation of action against the teacher, which the school didn’t disclose. Ladson said she was not satisfied with the recommendation and filed a grievance with the school’s board of trustees. They heard the case and decided Wednesday to suspend the teacher for one week without pay.

Ladson says a suspension is not enough and wants Aidoo removed from the school.

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