Little Rock teacher busted for prostitution

LITTLE ROCK, AR - A Little Rock Teacher caught up in a prostitution sting months ago has resigned. She says she only wanted to get money to pay her bills.

McClellan High School algebra teacher Solona Islam says she resigned because she didn’t want to have the school district involved in her personal matters. Islam was in the fifth year of her teacher career, now she hopes this attention doesn’t hurt her in trying to find another job.

For the past four months, Islam had a big secret she hoped no one would ever figure out, especially her students at McClellan.

"Sometimes during my prep period I would cry and then by the time the kids came in I had my face washed."

Islam says she had fallen on hard times. She was involved in a lawsuit that garnished her wages and she was getting behind on her bills.

"I'm really applying for other jobs. Everyone is saying I'm overqualified because I have a master's degree."

Desperate, she went online to look for a quick way to make money. She ran across a dating service that seemed harmless. The ad said it was just a date, no sex. She signed up for it and met her date at a West Little Rock hotel.

"In the back of my head I don't want to do it but I say yes because I know I need the extra money."

She went into the room and the man handed her $200. Islam says the man then asked for a massage.

"I'm massaging and he asked ‘Can I have sex with you’ and more vulgar terms. I was like ‘yea,’ that's how I responded."

Then Little Rock Police stormed in. Islam’s date was a detective. Four months later, her principal tells her that she is on paid leave.

Asked if she had not gotten caught, would she do it again? Islam replies, “No, the way I was feeling then. I remember all of my emotions going through it. No.”

Now she wonders about her students and the parents who may judge her wrongly.

“I am a human. They can't see a teacher beyond seeing this is a perfect role model and be perfect all the time."