It's bad for a teacher to be a predator.
Merle is a high school English teacher, and finds himself attracted to one of his teenage students.
Merle wants to do something about his attraction.
Merle tamps down on his attraction and acts professionally toward the student like any other.
Merle grooms the student and eventually tries to get her alone with him.
The student graduates and goes away, and Merle keeps his job.
The student's parents find out and call the police, and Merle is arrested.