Norman Elementary Teacher Accused Of Injuring Student In Class

An elementary school teacher in Norman is scheduled to be arraigned for an assault and battery complaint after she injured a student in class, said police.

Jayme Sue Stepp, a resource teacher at Wilson Elementary, hurt the student on Aug. 18, the second day of school, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Cleveland County District Court.

The mother of the 7-year-old boy told police her son was in a behavioral management class. The family informed News 9 that the child has special needs.

A teacher's aide told police the boy was put in a hold after he hit another student, the affidavit said. He was later allowed to sit at his desk. Stepp then went to the center of the room and yelled at the children that their behavior was unacceptable, the affidavit continued. She told the students if their behavior persisted, she would move their desks to the corners of the room, according to the affidavit. The 7-year-old boy became upset and started hitting his own head on the wall.

"Jayme Stepp went to the student, grabbed his arm, and dragged him to a chair where his shin was scraped," the affidavit said.

The boy was later interviewed at a child advocacy center, where he said Stepp dragged him by his wrist into a chair, hurting his shoulder, according to the affidavit. The boy also said Stepp kept yelling at the children to shut up, the affidavit stated.

The child's mother sent News 9 photos of her son's leg, showing bruising and scraps on his leg. She also sent News 9 documentation showing that a pediatrician diagnosed the boy with a mild shoulder separation.

The mother told police her son complained for days that his shoulder was hurting, the affidavit said.

Norman Public Schools sent News 9 the following statement:

"Due to confidentiality restrictions, we are limited in commenting on personnel issues. Internal investigations are always conducted when concerns of misconduct, particularly misconduct involving a child, are brought to our attention. In such matters, we work closely with law enforcement to ensure that all evidence is presented. In accordance with employee due process, the teacher has not been in the classroom since the allegation was reported to the district."

A district spokesperson said Stepp has been employed with the district since 2018 and has been a special education teacher at two schools since 2022. As of Thursday evening, Stepp's name was still listed on the district website.

Stepp is scheduled to be arraigned for a misdemeanor assault and battery complaint on Oct. 20.