A Penndale Middle School teacher who was placed on administrative leave in October — after allegations surfaced that they had groped a female student — has maintained correspondence with some of their students, North Penn Now has learned.
The teacher, whose identity is known to this news organization but whose name is being withheld as no criminal charges have been filed at the present time, was placed on administrative leave in early October after a female student alleged the teacher had groped her while she was packing up for the day. District officials confirmed last week that the teacher is still on leave as they investigate the allegations, and officials with the Lansdale Borough Police Department also confirmed that a parallel criminal investigation was ongoing.
Despite the allegations and being placed on leave, emails provided to North Penn Now from a concerned parent confirm that the teacher has maintained contact with students and is directly involved in their curriculum and grading — albeit remotely. The contents of the emails, which are dated from early October through early January, are solely curriculum related. The source who provided the emails also indicated that their child had to record video of themselves with another student as part of a project, which was then sent to the teacher for grading.
When asked if North Penn School District had asked the teacher to continue instruction remotely while on administrative leave, a district spokesperson declined to comment and said they would not be adding to the statement they released last week.
In an additional email provided to North Penn Now, Penndale Middle School Principal Stefan Muller contacted parents on Jan. 10 detailing difficulties in finding a substitute teacher for the class. A portion of the email reads:
"Due to a prolonged leave of absence, [redacted] has been unable to provide direct instruction to the students in his [redacted] classes for the past few months. Initially, we were provided week-by-week updates on [their] potential return, which made it difficult to secure a [redacted] substitute on a daily basis. At one point, we secured a retired [redacted] substitute teacher to substitute; however, that candidate decided to remain retired.”
In a follow up email on Jan. 18 — one week after the allegations publicly surfaced via an anonymous Facebook post — Muller informs parents that a substitute teacher for the course had been secured, with their first class being held earlier that day.
Following the initial anonymous Facebook post on Jan. 11 — which garnered hundreds of comments from other mothers in the district — many others posted about similar allegations or advising both students and staff at the school were aware the teacher had a reputation for similar conduct. Among the recurring allegations were accusations the teacher would use a fly swatter to hit female students on their backsides and drove to several students’ homes to leave candy bars in their mailboxes.
When reached for comment for North Penn Now’s initial coverage last week, a spokesperson for North Penn School District confirmed they are aware of the allegations and are fully cooperating with local law enforcement.
"As soon as the incident was reported to NPSD, the employee was placed on administrative leave,” said Christine Liberaski, Director of School and Community Engagement for North Penn School District.
When asked specific questions regarding allegations beyond the alleged early October incident, including whether there were prior reports or investigations involving this teacher, as well as the district policy on a teacher allegedly driving to students’ homes to drop off candy, Liberaski said she was unable to answer individual questions.
"As this matter involves an ongoing investigation, no further information can be shared at this time,” Liberaski said.
It’s currently unclear if the teacher facing the accusations is still involved in the course, or if they are no longer involved now that a substitute has been found.
To read the initial story, click here.
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Investigation Launched Following Allegations that Penndale Teacher Groped Female Student
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