A high school teacher in California is facing criminal charges after a video surfaced Wednesday which reportedly shows her forcibly cutting a student’s hair while singing the national anthem.
Margaret Gieszinger, 52, was jailed on suspicion of felony child endangerment in connection with an incident that reportedly unfolded at University Preparatory High School in Visalia. A student told KFSN that it was during Gieszinger’s 10 a.m. chemistry class when she declared it haircut day while wielding a pair of scissors.
“We think she’s going to try to be funny and be like ‘Oh did you really think I was going to cut his hair?’ But she did cut a hair off, and she started singing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ and she was singing it really loudly as she ceremoniously tossed a chunk of hair behind her,” a student who spoke under the condition of anonymity told the news station.
The Visalia Times Delta reported that three videos were posted to social media which caught Gieszinger cutting a male student’s hair as he sat in front of the class. The teacher can be heard saying, “You’re not done,” as the student attempts to get up. Video also apparently shows Gieszinger reach for a girl’s hair before the entire class flees in horror.
Gieszinger allegedly had a similar meltdown days before the haircutting incident. Students told KFSN that she accused students of stealing a test that went missing on Monday.
The high school science teacher is being held on $100,000 bail. Tulare County Office of Education has confirmed that they’re in the process of finding a replacement for her.
“In this instance, we promptly removed Ms. Gieszinger from her classroom and worked closely with the COS Police Department,” officials said in a statement. “We are reviewing all available information and will take the most severe employment action appropriate. Ms. Gieszinger will not return to her UPHS classroom.”
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