Sub was suspended after slapping child, Jonesborough Elem. parent says

JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL) — A substitute teacher has been suspended from working in Washington County, Tennessee Schools after an alleged incident at Jonesborough Elementary School. One Jonesborough Elementary parent said in a News Channel 11 interview that a substitute teacher slapped a student.

Michaela McKinney picked up her fourth-grade student from school Thursday, who immediately delivered shocking news.

“‘Mom, I had a sub today and she slapped one of the students,'” McKinney recounted. “Which I was immediately upset about.”

McKinney said her child saw the other child who had allegedly been assaulted, saying their arm was swollen and there was a bruise. Her child told her they were scared it would happen to them too.

Then, she learned her child heard about the alleged incident at lunch and had to go to the math class the same teacher was substituting for.

“There’s no reason they should have been put into a position where they were with a now-child abuser,” said McKinney. “Because, she didn’t hurt one child, from what I understand from other parents, she hurt several children.”

According to Washington County Schools Superintendent Jerry Boyd, parents called the district office on Thursday afternoon after school had dismissed. Parents told administrators about an incident involving a substitute teacher at the school.

The principal at Jonesborough Elementary, Matt Combs, was immediately informed, a statement from Boyd reads.

McKinney said she finds it hard to believe no one knew about the alleged incident until the end of the school day. She told News Channel 11 that her student learned about the incident after it happened at lunch from other students.

“Other teachers heard,” said McKinney. “The administration heard so I don’t understand why they didn’t send someone else to go into that classroom and take over the class.”

Boyd said the substitute was suspended from working in the district’s schools due to allegations made. The substitute was also removed from the district’s substitute teacher list.

Boyd did not provide any details as to the nature of the incident.

McKinney’s child returned to school on Friday.

“I’ve never felt that my child wasn’t safe at Jonesborough Elementary,” said McKinney. “I’ve been very happy with them so far, but yesterday was eye-opening for me. I now know I’m the only one that can advocate for my kid because the school isn’t doing it.”

Both law enforcement and the Department of Children’s Services were notified of the reported ordeal, and an investigation process has begun, according to Boyd.

“Depending on the outcome of the investigation, actions may include termination in addition to possible charges as determined by law enforcement,” Boyd stated.

As of Friday morning, the investigation into the incident remained ongoing.

“I feel like they definitely could have handled it better,” said McKinney. “I know we’re all human and we can make mistakes, but I hope that this is a learning experience for the school on handling these kinds of things in the future.”

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