A Connecticut elementary school teacher has been arrested following allegations that she performed a chokehold maneuver on three students, with one fifth-grader losing consciousness during the demonstration. Stefanie Sanabria, a 50-year-old math coach at Brookside Elementary School, was charged with second-degree strangulation, first-degree reckless endangerment, and risk of injury to a minor by the Norwalk police.
The incident occurred in August 2021 when Sanabria allegedly demonstrated a martial arts move to the students. Following the incident, she resigned from her position on Friday, as per a statement issued by Emily Morgan, a spokesperson for Norwalk Public Schools.
The statement also mentioned that with the assistance of the police department, the school district conducted an investigation and found that a student had fainted during the demonstration. Fortunately, the student did not suffer any permanent injury.
The safety and well-being of students are of utmost importance, and the school district has taken necessary steps to investigate the matter. The incident has raised concerns about the use of physical restraint and violence in schools and highlights the need for effective training and policies for teachers to ensure a safe and positive learning environment for all students.