An Alabama teacher was named "Teacher of the Month" earlier this year. But now she's been arrested after allegedly punishing a student in a cruel and unusual way.
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The Teacher Punished the Student for Sticking Out Their Tongue
As Dexerto reports, 46-year-old Heather Varner Hunter was arrested on Monday, Oct. 26. The Houston County Sheriff's Office charged the special needs teacher with child abuse after an investigation.
The incident allegedly took place last month at Cottonwood Elementary School. Hunter allegedly poured hot sauce onto a student's tongue after they stuck it out. Authorities said the spicy condiment was meant as punishment.
The allegations come after a local radio station named Hunter a Teacher of the Month in March 2026. During an interview to celebrate the award, the educator said she had spent eight years teaching at Cottonwood Elementary. She also added that she had nearly two decades of experience in education.
Hunter Has Been Fired
Brandy White, the superintendent of Houston County Schools, said that the district has fully cooperated with investigators. She added that she turned over any relevant information to the Alabama Department of Human Resources.
"I can confirm that (Hunter) is no longer employed by the Houston County School System," she also told reporters.
Hunter reportedly posted a $2,500 bond and has been released from custody.
The news comes after a high school teacher in Florida was arrested for allegedly throwing a pair of scissors at a student to get her attention.
Juanita Forehand faces a battery charge after allegedly throwing the scissors at a female student, striking her in the back. The Bay County Sheriff's Office also uncovered allegations that Forehand had previously thrown objects at students on several occasions.
Deputies arrested Forehand, a teacher at Rutherford High School in Panama City, Florida, on Oct. 16. They then booked the teacher into the Bay County Jail on a battery charge.
"The safety and well-being of our students are always our highest priority, and we are fully cooperating with law enforcement as they conduct their investigation," the district said in a statement.
