A teacher was placed on paid administrative leave this week after officials said she used inappropriate language in front of her fifth-graders, district officials confirmed Friday.

Officials did not say when the language was used, only that the teacher is on paid administrative leave from Panola Way Elementary School until an investigation is complete.

“There is no place for such behavior in our school and district, and the employees will face consequences per (DeKalb County School District) policies,” officials said in a statement. “We are disappointed our students were exposed to such behavior, and we will take appropriate steps to ensure it does not occur again.”

The teacher has been employed by the district nearly five years, beginning as a paraprofessional in August 2013 before coming to Panola Way last summer.

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Sheree Smith (left) casts her ballot at Wolf Creek Library in Atlanta on Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. In addition to municipal races for mayors, city councils and school board members, this year’s election also will decide the members of the Georgia Public Service Commission. (Miguel Martinez / AJC)

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A person exits the Wolf Creek Library in Atlanta after casting his ballot during election day on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

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