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Lee County teacher charged with assaulting student
by Stephen Woodward
10 months ago | 2824 views | 12 12 comments | 13 13 recommendations | email to a friend | print
EWING, Va. — A high school teacher in Lee County has been charged with assaulting his student during school, according to law enforcement.

Jack Spiers, who teaches Spanish at Thomas Walker High School (TWHS) in Ewing, Va. was charged with assault and battery on Sept. 24 after a warrant was obtained from the county magistrate by the parents of the student who made the claim, according to Sheriff Gary Parsons.

Parsons said that after the student claimed the incident occurred, his department’s school resource officer, along with school administration, looked into the matter and didn’t feel the charge was warranted.

Parsons described the incident as it was reported to him:

“It is my understanding that the student alleged that the teacher touched him on the arm,” trying to direct the student during class, said Parsons.

Lee County Schools Superintendent Fred Marion was not available for comment.

Rod Griffith, Director of Secondary Education, was not aware the teacher had been charged with assault. He said that Spiers was currently still teaching at TWHS and no disciplinary action had been taken.

Parsons said that the charge against Spiers is a Class 1 Misdemeanor and could bring the maximum of a year in jail and/or a $2,500 fine.

This follows two other incidents at the school this year. Earlier in March, TWHS teachers Chris Sutphin and Tim McElyea were investigated by Virginia State Police for allegations of improper relations with two female students. No charges were ever filed in those cases.

A charge is an accusation only and those charged are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Stephen Woodward is a Staff Writer for the Daily News. He may be contacted at swoodward@middlesborodailynews.com.
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comments (12)
« shaker 70 wrote on Monday, Oct 19 at 09:56 AM »


99.9% of Schools is just "ALL ABOUGHT SPORTS' Anyway, kids get away with anything. I am sure The teacher didn't brake this kids arm ???????

I think School Should Be 8 Hours a day Sports on Saterday ONLY!!! Kids Can Play Sports if She/He Have Good Grades and can Drug Test.. Teachers has no control over kids at School. Parants Has even Less at home.
« mystery lady wrote on Saturday, Oct 17 at 03:09 PM »
I had the pleasure of being in Mr. Spiers class, our class was a BUNCH of people who should have been expelled for a bunch of stuff in his class. He never once raised his voice the entire year, he was Mr. happy go lucky always had a smile on his face and was happy to try to teach to us. I loved going to his class, yes he is different but a wonderful different. If he did touch someone on the arm it wasn't in an abusive manner, it was simply to get your attention or to direct you to what he was talking about. Maybe to get you to move your arm from your paper so he could help you translate the writing, he would always give paragraphs we had to read to translate.

Discipline does need to be in the schools, but this is a whole new manner. The fact that a kid is picking up on the fact that someone in the school system touched him on the arm and he can press charges is crazy. This will change everything in the Lee County school system and those around it, because it will send a message that even if a teacher does something not even in a threatening manner it will cause a law suit or even in this case criminal charges. This is only the beginning if they let this continue.

I also agree with one of the previous comments, religion should not be in on this either. At what point does his private life come into play here. He is a good man, its a travesty that this is happening to him.
« Green Goat wrote on Friday, Oct 16 at 11:28 PM »
School is a babysitting service. Teachers cannot do any teaching because of the disruptive students. Students cannot be disciplined. They waste the time and resources of the ones that would like to learn.
« CharlieCheswick wrote on Friday, Oct 16 at 07:01 PM »
Every Taxpaying Citizen of Lee County who still gives a #%@! about the FUTURE of this County/Country should stand in Solidarity against the charges alledged at not only Mr. Spiers but against the Teachers Nationwide. WE PAY THE SALARIES of the School Boards AND the Politicians who don't have the GUTS to admit that a Non-Disciplinarian School System is a FAILURE! Our Children are in School to learn about Reading, Riting, Rithmetic and RESPECT for others. In My Opinion.



« June_Cleaver wrote on Friday, Oct 16 at 10:04 AM »
If Beaver needs directing during class time, you can bet that Ward will set him straight when he gets home, and I can assure you it won't be a "touch on the arm." He'll get the 3-hole board of education applied to his hinder parts and maybe a grounding too. Folks, how is a teacher supposed to "JUST TEACH" when there's disruption in the classroom? This discipline issue has gotten so out of hand these days. And we wonder why students walk into a school and unload a gun on students and faculty. They don't get discipline at home; therefore, there is no respect for authorities at school or anywhere else, and it will carry on into their adulthood and most likely have legal repercussions down the road (for tax payers to have to pick up the tab). I agree that a teacher should teach and "NOT HAVE TO" DISCIPLINE. And if parents would discipline their children at home, it would lift the disipline burden from teachers and allow them more time to teach, and the classroom would be a better teaching environment. Thirty or forty years ago, we didn't have school shootings. A student has rights, but so do the teachers, who try to do their job in spite of disruptive students, and the other classmates who actually want to learn. Let's get back to the Leave It To Beaver Days when children learn consequences of their actions.

June Cleaver
« Larryandfrancis@gmai wrote on Friday, Oct 16 at 08:35 AM »
wHAT HAPPENED TO THE DAYS WHEN if A TEACHER HAD TO WHIP YOU YOU GOT ANOTHER WHEN YOU GOT HOME.mY SUN WENT TO COLLAGE TO TEACH GRADE SCHOOL HISTORY BUT AFTER A SHORT WHILE HE CHANGEDD HIS MIND BECAUSE IF YOU SAY SOMETHING LIKE sit down AND THEY TAKE IT THE WRONG WAY OR THEY THINK YOU WERE PICKING ON THEM YOU GOT BROUGHT UP TO THE BOARD OF EDU..iF WE WOULD BRING PRAYER BACK IN OUR SCHOOLS AND SPANKINGS THE RIGHT WAY i BELIEVE YOU WOULD SEE A CAHNGE.tHIS IS ONLY WHAT i THINK ABOPUT IF THEY NEED TO CHECK OUT THE PROBLEM AND FIND THE OUT COME BEFORE THEY PRINT IT IN THE PAPER.AND WHEN THE CHARGES ARE DROPPED YOUO NEVER SEE THAT ON THE FRONT PAGE.

i think god for good teachers.I had my butt whipped when I was in school and thinking back I should maybe had a few more.

Until them Ladybugg
« George Formby wrote on Thursday, Oct 15 at 10:35 PM »
Eric_Shawn, you and others like you are the very reason something so ludicrous as this incident has happened. The age I grew up, there are consequences for all actions, teachers were authority figures, who had an important job to do... TEACH US!! If a student acted a fool (which I am betting this student was doing) they had the authority to put us back on track. How can a teacher "just teach" if the kids are wild and disruptive??? They can't!!! Touching a student on the arm is lame.....just another example of why our society in America will continue to decline...because people like you are turning out un-disciplined hellions who are told by their parents that its OK not to respect the teachers when they are trying to "Just Teach"
« Concerned parent wrote on Thursday, Oct 15 at 09:45 PM »
Why in the world would the authorities charge this man with a misdemeanor? This is just another example of children, in my opinion, that do not have proper parental supervision at home. Another question, why is religion brought into question when accusations of wrong-doing of teachers versus students arise? That is what our court systems supposed to do. The man is innocent until proven otherwise. It has nothing to do whether or not this teacher goes to church. Lets all keep an open mind on this situation.
« greyhoundgirl wrote on Thursday, Oct 15 at 09:44 PM »
These parents and this student should be ashamed of themselves. The school system needs more teachers like Mr. Spiers. After this silliness is over, I advise that he should sue them for defamation. Isn't there more important matters to deal with in our school system than some absurd accusation?

I haved quoted Virginia code on assault and battery-

18.2-57. Assault and battery

"F. "Simple assault" or "assault and battery" shall not be construed to include the use of, by any teacher, teacher aide, principal, assistant principal, guidance counselor, school security officer, school bus driver or school bus aide, while acting in the course and scope of his official capacity, any of the following: (i) incidental, minor or reasonable physical contact or other actions designed to maintain order and control; "
« Tubafella wrote on Thursday, Oct 15 at 05:20 PM »
Is this whole thing goofy or what?...........
« God_is_Good! wrote on Thursday, Oct 15 at 04:40 PM »
We need more teachers like Mr. Spiers that try to "direct the student during class"! It's a shame that a man that has invested his life teaching children and encouraging kids that no one would take the time to invest in has to go through this humiliation! Hold your head up, Mr. Spiers! Thank you for taking the time to invest in our family's education and spiritual upbringing. I'm not sure of the motives of this student or the parents, but you have always taught us to trust God and not to store up treasures on Earth, but in Heaven! May God receive the glory and may you earn your treasures in heaven for being such a good and faithful servant!!!
« Eric_Shawn wrote on Thursday, Oct 15 at 03:33 PM »
"the teacher touched him on the arm"

Wow!...Teachers should know better than this. They cant lay a finger on kids now-a-days. He had no right or authority to do anything but teach. I would sue his pants off!

P.S. Kids take note, dont let those teachers intimidate you. They got no right.
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