Caroline Lee, a DCPS teacher nominated for ‘Teacher of the Year, is facing child abuse charges. Continue reading to learn more about the case.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, a Duval County teacher of the year was arrested Friday following an incident with a student that turned violent.
Authorities made the arrest, as per the reporter, based on video evidence and the student’s visible injuries.
Who Is Caroline Lee?
Caroline Lee is a 60-year-old Darnell-Cookman School of the Medical Arts instructor, who has been charged with child abuse on one count.
On Wednesday, October 27, she was named a nominee for the school’s ‘Teacher of the Year award.
Following the news, DCPS issued an Instagram post congratulating Lee on her nomination for ‘Teacher of the Year.’ According to the police report, a student replied on the post, asking if Lee was the same instructor who used the ‘N’ term in class the previous year.
Lee responded to the student by explaining that the word was exclusively used in the context of the book “Of Mice and Men,” to which the student replied that this was not appropriate in a classroom setting.
Darnell Cookman Teacher of The Year Arrested: Details To Follow
Carolene Lee wanted to talk with the student when she came to school on Friday, the girl told school administrators.
She can be seen walking ahead of the pupil to her classroom on video. Then, Lee locked the doors once the student had entered and inquired as to why she had threatened her. She struck the student with the heel of her palm, forcing her to bleed.
As per the student’s statement, Lee proceeded to attack the student, and when she sought to stop the strikes, Lee struck her in the leg.
Further, the student said Lee instructed her to ‘go out’ after the incident. The teenager then proceeded to the guidance office, where school officials noticed visible injuries, according to the complaint.
Lee, on the other hand, stated she felt threatened after the incident and felt compelled to approach the student. Lee also denied locking the classroom door and causing bodily injury to the youngster. She also requested that the wounded student’s post using the ‘N’ word be removed.