TOMBALL – Teachers at a Tomball elementary school are out of a job and under investigation after being accused of unprofessional behavior towards students.
The district let parents know by email Tuesday that teachers in Structured Learning Lab classrooms at Creekview Elementary are under investigation by Harris County Pct 4 Constable’s Office and Texas Child Protective Services. The SLL classrooms serve students from PreK up to 6th grade who have Autism Spectrum Disorder or similar behaviors, according to a school document.
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Administrators are not saying how many teachers are under investigation or what they’re accused of.
The statement to staff and families says the investigation started last Monday, May 6, following reports of “alleged unprofessional behavior” towards students by teachers in the SLL classrooms. The district started their own internal investigation, let the teachers go and called in investigators from both from the Constable’s office and the state.
“All employee misconduct allegations are taken seriously and promptly investigated thoroughly. Tomball ISD has zero tolerance for employee misconduct. Again, the safety of our students in Tomball ISD is our number one priority. At this time, Tomball ISD has no further comment as the investigation has been handed over to law enforcement,” the letter to families and staff reads.
The statement also says the district is aware that the “isolated incident” may become public and they want to make sure the community has accurate information, but “while there may be concerns or questions, law enforcement has taken over the investigation and we cannot provide any more details at this time.”
The Structured Learning Lab is a program designed to serve students who have been identified as having Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and/or behaviors similar to ASD, according to the school document outlining the program. It serves elementary students who have “significant educational needs related to ASD and/or similar behaviors.”
SLLs include highly structured, individualized programming, communication and language training, social skills training, utilization of natural environments for instruction, positive behavioral programming, educationally-based sensory activities, and when appropriate, inclusion with same-age peers in general education settings.
In a 2024-2025 job description for a special education teacher with the Structured Learning Lab at Creekview, the primary purpose of the position is described as:
- Provide special education students with learning activities and experiences designed to help them fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth. Develop or modify curricula and prepare lessons and other instructional materials to student ability levels. Work in self-contained, team, departmental, or itinerant capacity as assigned.
The working conditions on the job description are headlined as Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors
- Maintain emotional control under stress. Frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing, and pulling. Move small stacks of textbooks, media equipment, desks, and other classroom or adaptive equipment. May be required to lift and position students with physical disabilities; control behavior through physical restraint; and assist non-ambulatory students. Exposure to biological hazards.
Pay is $61,000 a year.