LOGAN, Utah — A Utah art teacher says he will appeal a decision to fire him after his sixth-grade students saw nudity in classical paintings.
The Herald Journal newspaper reported Thursday that Mateo Rueda was fired after police came to the school to investigate a classroom-pornography complaint filed over the educational postcards at the elementary school library in Hyrum.
Rueda says he didn't know some works on the postcard set contained nudity, and took them away when they made students uncomfortable. Police say prosecutors determined the Impressionist and Rococo nudes aren't pornography.
Some parents say they're upset because Rueda belittled the preteens by telling them they needed to grow up. Rueda denies that, maintaining he respectfully explained the human body is often portrayed in art. Other parents are supporting Rueda's appeal.
The Cache County School District declined to comment.
