After district authorities discovered she had an OnlyFans account, a Missouri high school teacher was placed on leave.
Brianna Coppage, 28, a St. Clair High School English teacher, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that she was placed on leave following an interview with two administrators.
Coppage said it wasn’t surprising because people in the region were starting to learn about her OnlyFans page.
“It was kind of always like this cloud hanging over my head, like I never knew when I would be discovered,” Coppage said. “Then, about two weeks ago, my husband and I were told that people were finding out about it. So I knew this day was coming.”
The English instructor said she joined the website over the summer to augment her income as a teacher. According to the news source. Coppage earned approximately $42,000 last year and has earned $8,000 to $10,000 per month by selling subscriptions on OnlyFans.
According to Kyle Kruse, the school’s superintendent, his district was “recently notified that an employee may have posted inappropriate media on one or more internet sites.”
“The district has engaged legal counsel to conduct a comprehensive investigation into this matter,” Kruse said. “Actions taken as a result of the investigation will be in accordance with board policy and with guidance from legal counsel.”
Coppage told the outlet that she chose the website because the content she uploads is only available to subscribers as well as thinking it would protect her identity.
“(The district says) they haven’t made a decision yet, but I’m just kind of putting the pieces together that I am not coming back,” Coppage said. “I’m very aware that I am probably never going to teach again, but that was kind of the risk I knew I was taking. I am sad about that. I do miss my students.”
“That was like my completely, separate personal life outside of teaching,” Coppage added.
Coppage said she did what was expected of her at work and didn’t do anything illegal.
“There is this expectation that teachers should be the moral leaders of students, and I do not disagree with that,” Coppage said. “I taught the curriculum. I taught students reading and writing, and I didn’t guide them on my thoughts or beliefs. … And I can’t control what people think of me. I just know that who I am as a person, I’m not doing anything illegal. I am a good friend. I am a good family member. That is all I can think about right now,” Coppage said.
“I do not regret joining OnlyFans. I know it can be taboo, or some people may believe that it is shameful, but I don’t think sex work has to be shameful,” Coppage said. “I do just wish things just happened in a different way.”
