Florida 'Teacher of the Year' Allegedly Hit Student in the Face, Arrested for Child Abuse

[left-of-center2012]

A Florida teacher was arrested after allegedly hitting a student in the face causing them to bleed just days after being honored as "Teacher of the Year" at their school. Caroline Melanie Lee, a 60-year-old English teacher at Darnell-Cookman Middle/High, in Jacksonville, was arrested Friday and charged with felony child abuse, according to Duval Schools Police. The incident occurred just two days after she received the award from the Duval Public School District.

On Wednesday, the Duval County Public Schools Instagram account posted a photo of Lee and mentioned that she was named "Teacher of the Year." Many comments on the post questioned why Lee was given the honor, and some accused Lee of using the "n" word in class as well as other microaggressions.

While the post has since been deleted,
Lee replied to one student's comment claiming she used the "n" word while reading 'Of Mice and Men' to the class. A few days later, Lee asked the student who made the online comments to speak privately with her in the classroom. When the student came to the classroom, Lee allegedly hit her in the face multiple times causing her nose to bleed, AP reported. According to the student, Lee reached across the table and physically assaulted her.

Lee denied touching the student and told police she wanted to talk privately with her because she perceived the online comments as "a threat to kill her." Surveillance footage from the school showed Lee walking through the halls "aggressively" before her interaction with the student. A few minutes later, the student left the classroom and walked down the hallway to report the incident to the guidance counselor. Duval Schools Superintendent Diana Greene said the alleged incident was "beyond disturbing" and that school officials are cooperating with the ongoing investigation.

https://www.newsweek.com/florida-teacher-year-allegedly-hit-student-face-arrested-child-abuse-1644543

(She thought the student was threatening to kill her, and suggested a private meeting?)

[malaise]

1. OMFG

OH - I need to call my Florida sister

[Carlitos Brigante]

2. Staying on brand I see. nt

[Jilly_in_VA]

3. FloriDUH

*sigh* I read the story earlier today, thought about posting it, and finally didn't because I didn't know what to make of it. In my day and where I grew up, no teacher would have considered this. they might have thought about it, but they never would have done it.

[Tommy Carcetti]

4. Please, no. nt

[Ocelot II]

5. If I think someone wants to kill me I will *not* want a private meeting with them.