Teacher under fire for allegedly hitting student with chair

ST. LOUIS -- A St. Louis teacher who allegedly hit a student with a chair has been suspended without pay for two weeks and must attend anger management counseling.

The teacher at Simmons Elementary School, whose name was not released, had been suspended with pay since the incident Nov. 1, school officials said.

Simmons fifth-grader Jessica Samuel, 11, said the teacher threw two chairs out of his office after becoming angry that other students had thrown basketballs into the office, spilling coffee on his desk.

Jessica, who was sitting in a chair outside of the office, said the second chair hit her below the knee of her right leg. She said the teacher apologized.

Jessica was taken to a hospital where it was determined her leg was bruised but not broken. She has since returned to school.

Simmons principal Clarence Ward investigated the incident, which has been ruled an accident. District officials met with the teacher Tuesday to issue the suspension.

Missouri Division of Family Services investigators found no evidence of abuse or neglect, a district spokeswoman said.