I'm learning today how hard it is to be a journalist when someone you know is accused of a crime. One of my high school religion teachers was arrested a week ago for domestic violence. A friend texted me this morning to let me know there was a link on Facebook. So, of course I went online and checked out the link. This man's mug shot, address, etc. are up online for everyone to see.

If I was a journalist working on this story, I would be overjoyed to have all of this information. But as his former student, I felt slightly betrayed and lied to. Nevertheless, I shared the link -- public record, public information. Definitely a case of a role model acting against what he taught young men and women.

One of my good friends questioned my actions when I posted the link, and this was my response:

"I posted this because I thought people should know that someone who teaches young men and women how to live morally upright lives was accused of a crime. I think all of us have a right to know, and those who still know people in the school definitely have some thinking to do. It hurts us because we're personally involved, but any teacher who commits a crime, I think, is a public figure to those he or she has taught. We're all shocked, I know, but this serves as a warning to others who may abuse their rights as a role model."

With that being said, I know some may disagree with my decision. It's sensitive to my friends and classmates, and also to me. But I think it's in the public's right to know -- a role model, a teacher of young people, and a disciplinary figure was arrested for domestic violence. I hope his wife and kids are okay, personally.