Latest news with #ShelbyCountySchools
Fox News
07-06-2025
- Fox News
Alabama kindergarten teacher, 49, accused of enticing teen into bathroom for sexual encounter
An Alabama kindergarten "Teacher of the Year" was arrested Friday morning on sex charges involving local teenagers. Heather Ozment, 49, who is an educator at Calera Elementary School, is charged with sexual abuse in the first and second degree and enticing a child to enter a vehicle or house for immoral purposes. The Calera Police Department said that the alleged conduct happened after school hours and did not occur at a school facility or with Ozment's students. Ozment was awarded Teacher of the Year for 2024-2025, per the school's Facebook page. "Allegations involving sexual misconduct with minors must be investigated immediately, thoroughly, and methodically, David Hyche, the chief of police at the said in a press release. "Nothing we do in law enforcement is more important than protecting the most vulnerable in our community." Hyche said that Owens House, a children's advocacy non-profit, partnered with police to conduct forensic interviews and examinations of the juvenile victims. Shelby County Schools officials said they were made aware of the allegations in April. It is unclear when the alleged crimes took place. "The teacher was immediately put on leave for the remainder of the school year while the matter was investigated by local law enforcement," according to a school statement provided to "The alleged conduct occurred after school hours and did not take place at a school facility. We are unable to provide more information as it is an employee matter." According to the Shelby County Jail, Ozment was booked into the facility on Friday and released on the same day.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Summit held allows parents to be involved in children's education
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Hundreds of Memphis parents filled an auditorium today at KIPP Memphis Collegiate High School for the first day of a two-day Parent Summit. The event is organized by Memphis Lift, which attempts to see parents more involved in their children's education. 'We are working all over this county to bring a message that our children are in crisis. We are losing children in America every single day,' said Geoffrey Canada, Founder of Harlem Children's Zone. 'These kids are out on these corners when they should be in these schools, where they should be getting an education and a set of skills that will prepare them for the future.' 'Litigation over leadership': What led to Feagins being fired by MSCS school board? 'What got me here the first time I met with Sarah, it was during Covid and we were all on Zoom, and she told me she had a parent meeting and wanting me to talk, so I expected 20 parents, 30 parents, and there were hundreds it's the biggest Zoom call I've ever done.' Since Dr. Marie Feagins was ousted as the Shelby County Schools Superintendent in January, there has been controversy surrounding local schools. Feagin's firing led to an almost state takeover of Memphis Shelby County Schools. Memphis Lift's Executive Director Sarah Carpenter says she didn't agree with how the school board handled things. 1 injured, 3 suspects flee after Mud Island shooting 'I don't think it was done right. I don't think it was done right. I said it then, and I'm saying it now. I don't think it was done right,' said Sarah Carpenter, Lift Memphis Executive Director. Carpenter and Canada agreed that there may be problems from literacy to violence with the Memphis Shelby County Schools. They called on parents to step in and demand the best for their kids' education. 'Here's my message to parents here in Memphis, don't give up, don't settle for less than you know your children deserve,' said Canada. Tuesday's speaking lineup will feature Michael Bloomberg's daughter Emma and former Shelby County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Michelle Feagins, as Memphis Lift hopes to raise more awareness from parents concerning Memphis Shelby County Schools. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
TN lawmakers approve school cell phone ban, awaits Gov. Lee
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Tennessee lawmakers have given their final approval to ban the use of cell phones in schools across the state. The bill now awaits Governor Bill Lee's signature. State leaders are calling these devices a distraction. MSCS state takeover effort to move forward next week, says Memphis lawmaker 'I could barely teach for it, but I couldn't get their attention face to face,' said an educator. named Beverly Shockey. 'I couldn't get their attention because their head was on the phone, and they weren't doing the lesson.' In a 30-to-0 vote by the senate, legislators passed House Bill 932. The ban includes laptops, smart watches, and any other personal communication devices. Collierville PD investigating reports of drink tampering at two restaurants 'Most don't experience any emergency. They are just going through the phone and looking on Facebook,' said Shockey. 'That's something you can do on your break, your lunch break after you get home.' The Memphis Shelby County Schools district already has a policy that prohibits cell phones from schools during the school day. Their policy cites cheating, bullying, and taking inappropriate photos as part of the district's reasoning behind the ban. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
