Update on Oct. 24: Atlanta Public Schools spokeswoman says district will schedule a dismissal hearing. Read the update here.
An Atlanta special education autism teacher who allegedly struck a student last week has been charged with battery.
Angela Christian, a teacher at Ralph J. Bunche Middle School, was booked Oct. 19 on a misdemeanor charge of battery/substantial physical harm, according to Fulton County jail records.
The teacher was released the next day on bond, according to county records.
Christian has been temporarily reassigned “pending a hearing if she chooses not to resign,” according to Pat St. Claire, Atlanta Public Schools spokeswoman.
The alleged incident took place Oct. 19 and was witnessed by paraprofessionals, St. Claire said. The APS police department responded.
“The student was seen by the school nurse. The student’s parent was immediately notified and the student was sent home,” St. Claire said, in a written statement.
Christian has taught special education for more than 25 years, according to a biography on the school's website.
She is scheduled to meet with district officials Tuesday, according to St. Claire.