BALLWIN, Mo. — A Missouri substitute teacher says she lost her job after school officials discovered her adult content on OnlyFans, a revelation that has sparked a debate over privacy, teacher pay, and the boundaries of online side hustles.
Sheena Sittner, who has worked as a substitute for over two years, said she knew her online activity might eventually surface. What she didn't expect was a directive from her employer, Kelly Education, telling her to stay away from all schools—including the one her own child attends.
“If teachers were paid better, women wouldn't have to resort to online content creation. Sex sells,” Sittner told Nexstar's KTVI. She added that the OnlyFans account had been active for more than two years, suggesting someone “did some deep-dive digging” to find it.
In emails reviewed by KTVI, Kelly Education informed Sittner she was suspended pending termination and instructed her to “refrain from contacting any school or districts.” The company later clarified that the warning applied only to her professional capacity, not her parental rights.
“It's like all of a sudden I've done something so wrong and sinful that I'm not even allowed to volunteer at his school,” Sittner said. “I can find another job. I can handle the backlash and the criticism, but when it affects my child or my children, that's where I draw the line.”
The school district, meanwhile, confirmed that Sittner is a parent in good standing, having passed a background check and completed required safety training. A spokesman said she should be treated like any other parent, with the ability to volunteer and participate in school activities.
Kelly Education responded that its warning “does not, and cannot, limit anyone's right as a parent. Nothing in our request restricts their participation in their child's education.”
Sittner maintains that her online work is separate from her roles as a teacher and mother. “My personal life is completely separate from my professional life. I have kept those two separate forever,” she said.
The case highlights broader tensions around remote work and gender bias, as well as ongoing debates about how schools handle teachers' off-duty conduct. It also comes amid discussions about educator pay and the pressures that push teachers to seek additional income.
As Sittner weighs her options, the incident raises questions about the limits of employer oversight and the rights of parents who also work in schools. For now, she says she will continue creating content online, even as she seeks another job.
