TOLEDO, Ohio — A local teacher has resigned from her position at Springfield Local School District amid an investigation into her personal use of the websites OnlyFans and Fansly.
According to Jennifer Ruziscka's personnel file, obtained by 11 Investigates, the 50-year-old Springfield High School English teacher who has been employed by the District since 1996, operated sexually explicit accounts on both sites.
In a statement to 11 Investigates, district superintendent Matt Geha said, "Springfield Local Schools was made aware of allegations where one of its teachers was participating in conduct unbecoming of a professional educator. That teacher was put on administrative leave as of Monday, January 29, 2024, with the last day in the classroom Friday, January 26, 2024."
In a letter sent to the Ohio Board of Education on Feb. 2, 2024, Geha outlined the investigation into Ruziscka that he said started on Jan. 26, when the district became aware that she was operating a "pornographic/sexually graphic website."
Geha stated that this was confirmed and "the evidence was secured with guidance from the district attorney" the following day.
Geha said he contacted Ruziscka by phone and informed her that the district was aware of the online sexual behavior and "conduct unbecoming" of an educator.
He informed Ruziscka that she was on paid administrative leave and told her not to report to her classroom that following Monday. Geha also informed her that he would be serving her with a pre-disciplinary notice on Monday and a hearing would take place on Jan. 31. Ruziscka submitted her resignation days before that hearing.
In an email to Ruziscka regarding the investigation, Geha said, "The evidence includes an online account which is open and available to the public for view that is maintained by you and includes sexualized images and videos of you. Such conduct violates the Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators, Sections 1, 8 and 9 (h)."
Geha included context on Section 9, which is labeled "Appropriate and Responsible Use of Technology." The code of conduct states:
Educators shall maintain appropriate boundaries with colleagues, students and the school community when using technology and electronic communications. While maintaining their constitutional rights, educators recognize that when using technology, the words they choose and the context of their statements can reflect negatively on the positions, schools and the profession.
Geha said, in part, "conduct unbecoming includes but is not limited to using technology, social media or other electronic communications to host, post, or distribute improper or inappropriate material that could be reasonably accessed by the school community, including, but not limited to, pornography, obscene material."
Included in Ruziscka's personnel file as part of the investigation are multiple images of Ruziscka in lingerie on Fansly asking patrons to subscribe to watch her perform various sexual acts. Many of the images are blurred and patrons must pay a fee to see them.
Screenshots of the account named "jenniferssecrets" show 3,300 likes, 759 followers, 82 photos and 14 videos.
A portion of the bio reads, "My name is Jennifer and I am truly a girl next door who'll transform into a sultry, seductive woman behind closed doors. Promise to keep my secrets safe with you, and I'll do anything you want me to."
11 investigates reached out to Ruziscka on March 19. She provided this statement via email:
In William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, as Juliet laments Romeo being a Montague, the only son of her family's great enemy, she recognizes, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet". Likewise, people can label me anything they want to; however, it doesn't change the commendable level of dedication and exemplary work ethic I execute as an educator. Regardless of what I do in my private life for the sake of keeping a roof over my family's head and a car parked in the garage, I remain one of the greatest English teachers ever to serve in the Springfield Local School District. My students learn to value their personal and academic growth in my classroom, which is an environment where they are embraced for their individuality, they are engaged to apply their talents, and they are enlightened about their true potential. The numerous accolades and recognition I have earned over the 28 years I spent in SLS is evidence of that.
WTOL 11 reached out to the Ohio Board of Education on March 28 for an update and received this statement:
Investigations into educator misconduct are confidential pursuant to Ohio law. As such, State Board of Education can neither confirm nor deny the presence of an investigation into a licensed educator, nor can it provide documents pertaining to investigations, including reports of educator misconduct.
Ruziscka's personnel file shows that she graduated from Miami University in 1995 and was hired by Springfield Local School District in 1996.
During her time with the district, Ruziscka held various paid positions including as a cheerleading coach and yearbook advisor. Her salary at the time of her resignation was $74,720.00.