In a surprising twist, the world of teaching and the online platform OnlyFans intersected when two Missouri high school teachers found themselves in the spotlight for their alternative source of income. Megan Gaither and Brianna Coppage, both English teachers, ventured into the world of adult content on OnlyFans to supplement their earnings. Their stories have ignited a debate about teacher pay, professionalism, and the pursuit of financial stability. This article explores the details of their journey and the consequences they faced.
The Teachers’ OnlyFans Journey
Megan Gaither, a 31-year-old high school English teacher and varsity cheerleading coach, recently made headlines when her side hustle on OnlyFans came to light. She was placed on leave on October 27, 2023, after school district officials discovered her account on the explicit content platform. Gaither’s motivation was clear: to alleviate the financial strain imposed by her $125,000 student loan debt.
Gaither, in an interview with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, stated, “Teaching does not financially support a person. It’s really hard to stretch those paychecks during the summer. That’s why I did it.”
According to reports, Gaither’s annual pay, which included a stipend for coaching the school’s cheerleading squad, amounted to approximately $47,500. Faced with the relentless burden of student loans and limited summer income, she saw OnlyFans as an opportunity to bridge the financial gap.
The Fallout: Placed on Leave
Megan Gaither initially took down her OnlyFans account around the same time that her fellow English teacher, Brianna Coppage, was placed on leave for her involvement in selling explicit content. However, Gaither’s anonymity didn’t last long as her side hustle was eventually exposed. When she deactivated her account, she boasted around 1,500 subscribers and an additional income ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 per month. Gaither emphasized that all her content was faceless, an attempt to protect her privacy.
Suspicion about Gaither’s participation on the platform began in mid-October when she appeared in a video posted on Coppage’s account. Even though Gaither’s face was not visible in the video, it was recorded at a party, and she was seen wearing the same costume as in the video posted on OnlyFans. This raised questions and led to the unraveling of her secret.
Gaither expressed her astonishment, saying, “I definitely did not think this would be the thing that would ruin my entire career.”
The school district’s superintendent, Kyle Kruse, refrained from making a statement at the time.
The Motivation Behind the Side Hustle
As Gaither’s story emerged, she highlighted the harsh financial reality that many teachers face. The decision to join OnlyFans was driven by her concern over low teacher pay. In her words, “In order to make change, you have to make noise.”
Brianna Coppage, Gaither’s best friend and fellow teacher, also turned to OnlyFans as a means of financial support. Coppage stated in an interview with Fox News Digital that she started her journey on the platform to supplement her income and address her student loan debt while pursuing multiple degrees in education.
Facing the Consequences
Gaither acknowledged that district administration informed her of being placed on leave due to “professionalism and student communication.” Nevertheless, she rejected these accusations, maintaining that her primary goal was to provide for her family in the face of inadequate teacher pay.
In a Facebook post, Gaither conveyed her love for teaching and her students, emphasizing her commitment to making a positive impact. She also acknowledged her choice to pursue a side hustle as a responsible means of repaying her educational loans, asserting that it had been working out satisfactorily.
The Push for Change
As these teachers’ stories gained prominence, they also became advocates for change in the education system. Gaither acknowledged the importance of raising awareness about the unfairness of teacher pay, echoing the sentiment expressed by Coppage. Both teachers shared the view that their actions were not meant to undermine their roles as educators but to shed light on the financial struggles faced by many in the teaching profession.
Conclusion
The case of Megan Gaither and Brianna Coppage has brought attention to the financial challenges that educators, particularly in the United States, face. While their choice to turn to OnlyFans may be unconventional, it has sparked an important discussion about teacher pay and the need for change in the education system. Their stories serve as a reminder of the broader issues surrounding the financial stability of teachers, and the push for better compensation in the field of education.