OXNARD (CBSLA.com) — The middle school science teacher who was put on administrative leave after students discovered she had starred in a pornographic film appeared before an administrative law judge Monday in an effort to get her job back.

Stacie Halas, of Camarillo, was removed from the classroom earlier this year after it was discovered that, before she began her career as a teacher, she spent some time acting in the adult film industry.

Stacie Halas and her attorney. (credit: CBS)

Several students, whose faces were not shown, were called as witnesses to testify about the ease with which they were able to find the adult videos, which included their teacher involved in sexually explicit acts.

Oxnard Unified School District spokesman Thomas DeLapp says once students were able to find the videos of Halas on the Internet they made it difficult for her to be an effective teacher.

“We even had kids who were referring to her by her stage name in class, from catcalls in the back,” DeLapp said.

Halas’ attorney Richard Schwab says his client should be considered a positive role model, for the way she has been able to turn her life around.

“Even if you’ve been dehumanized, so degraded, you can still overcome those obstacles,” Schwab said.

The hearing is expected to last a few days, and we are told it could be weeks or even months before the administrative law judge issues a decision.

In the meantime, Halas remains on paid administrative leave, as specified under her due process rights in the teacher’s union contract.