Students rallied behind their teacher, Lydia Ferguson, who was suspended by her school for posting what they deemed a “provocative” selfie on Facebook. The photo in question showed Ferguson sitting on a bed wearing a white dress, and she defended it, stating it was harmless.

The students launched a petition to support her, with some asserting that there was nothing wrong with the photo, and she looked lovely. They praised her as a dedicated teacher who helped students deal with issues like bullying.

The school’s head teacher, Sue Carbert, addressed the situation, stating that staff concerns would not be discussed with students, and rumors were being drawn without factual basis.

Readers and online commenators largely criticized the school’s decision to suspend Ferguson. Many felt that the school had unnecessarily sexualized the image, and the suspension was unwarranted.

Overall, the incident highlights the debate over personal freedom and appearance outside of work for educators and the support of students for their teacher.