Risking It All: My Student, My Lover, My Story

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In the spring of 2000, Heather Ingram, a 30-year-old high school teacher in a small town on the coast of British Columbia, was convicted of the sexual exploitation of a minor for having an affair with a 17-year-old student. A straight A student who graduated at the top of her high school class and won the award for top student in the secondary education program at the University of British Columbia, Ingram went on to become one of the most popular and highly respected teachers at Chatelech Secondary School in Sechelt, B.C. Trapped in an unhappy relationship that was undermining her self-confidence, Ingram found herself more and more drawn to Troy, a rebellious young student in her accounting class. She describes in unstinting detail how what began as a mild flirtation developed into a powerful attraction and then into a relationship of several years’ duration, which had the full support of Troy’s family. Ingram also describes the pain of going public with the affair, the loss of her job and her status in the community,her trial and conviction, and the ten months she spent under house arrest.

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13 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
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This was an extremely interesting story.

To me, it vividly highlights the remarkable complexities that have the potential to exist within any relationship.

These complexities are not only present but are also significantly exacerbated in a relationship that is not just between a teacher and a student but specifically between a 29-year-old and a 17-year-old.

The age difference alone introduces a whole set of challenges and considerations.

The 29-year-old is likely to have a different level of maturity, life experience, and expectations compared to the 17-year-old.

This can lead to misunderstandings, power imbalances, and difficulties in communication.

Moreover, the teacher-student dynamic adds another layer of complexity, as there are professional boundaries and ethical responsibilities that need to be carefully navigated.

Overall, this story serves as a reminder of the many intricacies that can arise in such relationships and the importance of being aware of and addressing them.
July 15,2025
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A truly super-intriguing yet super-disturbing account has emerged of the author's affair with her 17-year-old student. It is truly bizarre that she seemed not to see anything wrong with what she was doing. The details of this story are so fascinating that it keeps pulling you in, yet at the same time, it makes you feel extremely uncomfortable. It's like a strange mix of curiosity and disgust. Reading it made me want to take a shower or something just to wash away the unease. Ugh. The whole situation is just so inappropriate and raises so many ethical questions. How could she have engaged in such behavior with a minor? It's a story that will surely stay with you long after you've finished reading it.

July 15,2025
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I really wanted to gain more in-depth understanding of why this situation occurred. It's a huge disappointment!

Although she attempts to provide an honest portrayal of her life, it just doesn't seem believable.

From what I gathered, there was a good-looking kid in her class who showed her attention while she was having doubts about her adult relationship with her boyfriend.

She cheats on and ultimately dumps her boyfriend, but the question remains: why?

It's so disappointing that she seemingly knew she could lose her job but failed to realize how inappropriate this was on multiple levels.

There are issues such as the teacher/student relationship, boundary problems, age and maturity differences (or rather, the lack thereof as it was found that she was immature), and society's expectations.

In conclusion, I would not recommend bothering to read this.
July 15,2025
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I read this book a long time ago. At that time, I was really impressed by it and thought it was a very good book. However, for some reason, I just didn't write a review. I still remember clearly when this book was on the news. It happened in BC. The story in the book seemed so real and engaging that it really caught my attention. The author's writing style was also very unique, which made it easy for me to immerse myself in the story. Now, looking back, I really regret not writing a review earlier. Maybe if I had written a review, more people would have known about this wonderful book and been able to enjoy it as well.

July 15,2025
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When I read "Risking it All", I truly enjoyed it.

Even though I have a rather crazy fascination with the idea of female teachers seducing male pupils, this book goes beyond that. It tells the story of Heather E. Ingram's loving relationship with Troy, a 17-year-old male student.

I think Heather E. Ingram was brilliant in writing a book like this. Each chapter I read made me think and kept me engaged until I finished.

In fact, I was so hooked that I want to read it again if I feel like it. It's as simple as that.

This book not only satisfies my curiosity about such a taboo topic but also presents a complex and emotional relationship in a way that makes me empathize with the characters.

Heather E. Ingram's writing style is captivating, and she manages to bring the story to life on the pages.

"Risking it All" is definitely a book that I would recommend to others who are interested in reading about unconventional relationships.
July 15,2025
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If you are a teacher, you should read this book.

If you have ever fallen for someone much younger, or thought you could, you should read this book.

If you've ever cheated on your significant other, or only thought of it, you should read this book.

"Death is just around the corner, he whispers, but not morbidly. In my dream this statement sounds like an invitation... Come with me, come experience, come live. Don't wait - it could be gone before you know it."

When I initially began reading this book, I didn't feel a connection with Heather, the autobiographer. Her life seemed too perfect, too safe. However, her tale was so compelling that I regretted having to put the book down each time.

When she started falling for one of her high school students, I could easily envision the same situation happening to myself. A confident, handsome, self-assured young man, flouting authority, a rebel, the bad boy, making her feel beautiful, attractive, and desirable. It's a heady feeling. So easy to get lost in, to be caught up in the moment. And once the line is crossed, then what?

For Heather, it was a slippery slope. But perhaps it led her not only to a greater understanding of who she was but also to what was truly important to her. I won't spoil it for anyone who wants to read and doesn't already know the story. Suffice it to say, it was a good book.

It made me reflect on my own life and relationships, and it had me on the edge of my seat, eager to find out what would happen next. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and engaging read.
July 15,2025
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Eh. I delved into this account with the anticipation of gaining some profound understanding regarding her decision and the underlying motives that led her to cross the line and engage in a sexual relationship with her student. She was dissatisfied in her long-term relationship with her boyfriend, and then chose to betray him by having an affair with someone who showered her with attention. She confesses that, in reality, she shared nothing in common with her student apart from a sexual allure. Moreover, she made certain choices that were even more dubious, ultimately causing her to lose nearly everything and everyone dear to her in life.


The entire reading left me with a sense of unease. In particular, her depictions of spending time at parties with her students, attempting to relive the teenage years she had missed, were rather disturbing. It makes one wonder about the consequences of such actions and the impact they have on the lives of those involved. It serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of making wise decisions and being accountable for our actions.

July 15,2025
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Perhaps Heather Ingram should have delayed writing this book until decades after her ill-advised love affair and criminal conviction. The pain and the feeling of being wronged remain too vivid. She has yet to admit that encouraging the flirtation of a younger student demands adult firmness. The power disparity was in her favor, not that of her immature lover.

Ingram is not the first, nor will she be the last, teacher to engage in a sexual relationship with a student. Indeed, if they had waited five months, the student would have been eighteen and legally old enough to sleep with her. However, this does not alter the unequal dynamics. And, yes, she was still smarting from the end of her marriage. But this does not excuse her dismissal of the reasonable restrictions against a high school teacher having sex with a student. She relished being desired. Her young lover was never, from the very first encounter, the man of her dreams. She chose sex over a career and paid a hefty price. Moreover, the fact that she had a one-night stand with her lover's friend likely increased the weight of evidence suggesting her unfitness to be a classroom teacher.

From her description, it appears she was a good teacher and has become a confidante for former students and other hurting individuals in her community. Maybe one day she will pen a sequel to this book, one that acknowledges the immaturity of her actions and offers more profound insights into the harm her crossing of the teacher/student boundary inflicted on many people around her.

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