LRSD Teacher Accused of Slapping Student Speaks Out to Clear His Name
By: Marci Manley, KARK 4 News
Updated: December 5, 2012
There's plenty to consider when it comes to protecting students' safety and the reputation of the teachers.
In this case, a middle school coach was accused of slapping a student. Now, more than six months later, he believes the pieces are in place to clear his name.
Each day for the past few years, Danny Woods has driven to Horace Mann Magnet School in Little Rock.
"First couple of weeks I was gone out of school -- a very stressful time," Woods says.
But in May, a student accused Woods of slapping her at school, causing her parent to file a police report.
"I guess he got mad and slapped her," the student's parent originally said.
Woods was placed on administrative leave and left to wait for the final word.
"I understand that's part of the process," he says. "It's hard to see your name out there in the media when you know you didn't do anything."
After an investigation by police, the Little Rock School District and the Department of Education, the evidence didn't support the student's claim, with parents, other students and teachers speaking out in support of the accused.
"I'd hate for any teacher to go through what I did. That's why I'm coming forward," Woods says.
Woods said he entered the education field to shape young lives.
"Help them learn life lessons and become better people," he says.
But now he says growing fears and high profile cases regarding interactions between students and teachers has more educators on guard against false allegations.
"You have to change the way you approach young people," he says. "Definitely a life lesson."
He's now back in the hallways and out on the field, hoping the cloud on his career is finally lifted.
The student's father still contends the incident happened as his daughter described. He's removed the girl from the district because of the event.
We also contacted the Department of Education to see how they handle these situations, but were initially unsuccessful.
Stick with ArkansasMatters.com for their response when it becomes available.
In this case, a middle school coach was accused of slapping a student. Now, more than six months later, he believes the pieces are in place to clear his name.
Each day for the past few years, Danny Woods has driven to Horace Mann Magnet School in Little Rock.
"First couple of weeks I was gone out of school -- a very stressful time," Woods says.
But in May, a student accused Woods of slapping her at school, causing her parent to file a police report.
"I guess he got mad and slapped her," the student's parent originally said.
Woods was placed on administrative leave and left to wait for the final word.
"I understand that's part of the process," he says. "It's hard to see your name out there in the media when you know you didn't do anything."
After an investigation by police, the Little Rock School District and the Department of Education, the evidence didn't support the student's claim, with parents, other students and teachers speaking out in support of the accused.
"I'd hate for any teacher to go through what I did. That's why I'm coming forward," Woods says.
Woods said he entered the education field to shape young lives.
"Help them learn life lessons and become better people," he says.
But now he says growing fears and high profile cases regarding interactions between students and teachers has more educators on guard against false allegations.
"You have to change the way you approach young people," he says. "Definitely a life lesson."
He's now back in the hallways and out on the field, hoping the cloud on his career is finally lifted.
The student's father still contends the incident happened as his daughter described. He's removed the girl from the district because of the event.
We also contacted the Department of Education to see how they handle these situations, but were initially unsuccessful.
Stick with ArkansasMatters.com for their response when it becomes available.
