Florida 'bikini mate' loses teaching job

FORT PIERCE, Fla., May 1 (UPI) -- A Florida science teacher contends she was fired because she was moonlighting as a "bikini mate" on a charter fishing boat.

Tiffany Shepherd, 30, was bounced from Port St. Lucie High School staff officially because of absenteeism. However, she has been telling the media that the district didn't approve of her fetching drinks and sandwiches while dressed in a swimsuit.

"I want to make sure that I'll be able to teach, if not in the county, then in the state of Florida," she told The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post, adding she would continue her sea-faring career for the time being.

The Post said Shepherd has been inundated with media inquiries since the story broke, and Fort Pierce charter skipper "Captain Gil" Coombes says he has seen a spike in his business.