Elena Maraga, 29, says her wage as a teacher isn’t ‘sustainable’, which forced her to consider other ways she can make more money – and she was ‘curious’ about OnlyFans
A Catholic infant school teacher who has been suspended from teaching for moonlighting as an OnlyFans content creator insists she is not “ashamed” of what she does. Elena Maraga, 29, was outed as a model on the promiscuous site by a parent who recognised her online and then told other parents via a WhatsApp group chat and Facebook
She was subsequently put on leave from her job near Treviso in Italy after the school said that her extra-curricular activities do not align with the religious values of the institution. The gutted woman said she only earns around €1,200 (£1,000) a month from her day job, a wage she describes as ‘unsustainable’ by itself.
Elena told Italian media outlet Open: “That’s why I had already considered other careers. I know friends who earn very well. I simply thought that I’m proud of the physical results I’ve achieved and I like to show them off.
“I love teaching children, it’s my calling But I earn much more on the internet.” She only recently opened her OnlyFans account and claims to have already made more money in one day than she makes in one month as a teacher.
“I opened OnlyFans a month ago, partly for fun, partly out of curiosity, partly to see if you could really earn money. In one day I get a month’s salary,” she said.
Elena went on to add that she has done nothing wrong with posing in raunchy underwear. She writes on her profile page: “I see nothing wrong with exalting one’s own femininity and sensuality.”
The case has sparked a debate in Italy, with trade unions on her side. Alvise Sponza, general secretary of the Cgil Flc (Federation of Knowledge Workers) of Treviso, said: “Whoever intends to fire her does not have the law on their side.
“There is no point in the contract that prohibits doing anything in their free time, and if this is legal, no one can contest it.” Elsewhere, the Ministry of Education said it will review the 2023 regulations for public employees to include a specific section regulating the use of social media by teachers.
Elena said she has a degree in Educational Sciences along with five years’ worth of experience working in a Catholic nursery school and still lives at home with her parents, who are aware of her online activities.
She also added that, although some school parents are against what she does, others fully support her. “I still live with my parents. [Joining OnlyFans] was a test: I posted a few photos and the profile exploded.
“I think it was a mother or father of one of my students [who exposed Elena]. They recognised me thanks to my profile photo. The matter became public knowledge on Facebook groups for mothers…. but there are some mothers who want to support me. They want me to continue teaching their children.”
While Elena, who is also a bodybuilder that has competed and won various competitions, loves being a teacher, she feels it is something she will not go back to. Despite her school experience, Elena has already begun studying for a new role as a personal trainer and says the world of personal training is more open minded.