A veteran teacher from Michigan who has taught for 36 years has now been charged with assaulting two of her students.
Shirley Thoen, aged 59, of Marysville, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault and battery on Thursday.
She taught early childhood special education.
Thoen came under investigation at Thomas Edison Elementary School in Port Huron in September after some complaints were made against her.
Tracie Eschenburg, executive director of employee and student services for Port Huron Schools, told The Times Herald: ‘She was placed on leave as soon as there was any actionable information that we had.
Thoen then retired from her position after entering her plea on Thursday.
Neither the school district nor the police have provided an explanation of what Thoen was accused of doing to the students.
Eschenburg said investigators and school officials met with the parents of Thoen’s students on Tuesday evening to explain what happened.
‘We take the safety of our students as paramount and any time we feel there is a threat of safety we act immediately,’ Eschenburg said.
Thoen will be sentenced January 14 in front of District Judge John Monaghan.
Her offenses are 93-day misdemeanors, according to prosecutors.
Her bond was set for $500.
Read More: Port Huron teacher pleads guilty to assaulting students
