2 East Burke HS teachers accused of inappropriate relations with students

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By Dave Faherty

BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — Two teachers from East Burke High School have been accused of having inappropriate relationships with students.

Channel 9 obtained documents that reveal that the state's investigation into one teacher led them to the other.

The Burke County Sheriff's Office said the incidents involved two 18-year-old female students, but the district attorney confirmed Monday afternoon that the alleged victims refused to cooperate with a criminal prosecution.

Cameron Pierce and Dustin Beck no longer have a license to teach in North Carolina.

Pierce admitted to the Superintendent Ethics Advisory Committee last year that after he hired a student to walk his dogs, "they had kissed one time, but that afterwards, he told her they would have to distance themselves," according to documents.

Beck met with Burke County Schools around the same time about an inappropriate relationship involving a teacher and student but instead, provided a written statement saying he had “kissed the female student, used social media to send inappropriate pictures, and had sexual intercourse with the student."

"He's actually a pretty good teacher from what I can remember,” former student Justin Archer said. “That's why I was shocked to hear that."

The Burke County Sheriff's Office investigated at the end of the last school year, according to police reports.

Channel 9 has confirmed both men resigned days later.

Parents believe the cases are important reminders for families to be vigilant about social media.

"You want to trust teachers, but you also want your child to know they can go and talk with anybody about what is going on and report it if it happens,” parent Marcie Bridges said.

The state committee voted unanimously to revoke both men's licenses, and neither filed a petition contesting his case.

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