Pittsburgh Montessori Teacher Suspended, Accused Of Misconduct

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A Pittsburgh Public School teacher has been suspended with pay after being accused of assaulting one of his young students.

Eric Kircher, 38, is accused of misconduct with a student at the Pittsburgh Montessori School after an incident in October.

The Pittsburgh Tribune Review reports a 9-year-old boy told investigators on Oct. 30 that Kircher grabbed and choked him before pushing him back into line.

The newspaper says later in the day Kircher pushed two fingers deep into the back of the boy's neck, hurting him.

According to the criminal complaint, a tutor at Pittsburgh Montessori saw Kircher grab a student by the arm, yanking him down two steps before pushing him back in line.

According to Pittsburgh Public Schools, the teacher was suspended with pay on Oct. 18 and has not been back in the classroom since.

On Thursday, a letter went out to Pittsburgh Montessori families telling them about Kircher's arrest on Wednesday.

The school's principal, Valerie Lucas, said: "I assure you that all the appropriate steps have been taken to safeguard the well-being of our students. In keeping with school district procedures, the teacher is currently on suspension pending the resolution of the charges filed by Pittsburgh Police. "

Kircher is a first, second and third grade teacher for about 25 kids in his class.

One parent says she never thought Kircher was the type to get aggressive.

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