2-Year Suspension of Teaching License For Role In NJ Student Sex-Abuse Case
By David Madden
WOOLWICH TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBS) -- A former South Jersey high school teacher and coach won't be able to teach in the state for the next two years. Her teaching certificate has been suspended as a result of a sexual abuse case involving another teacher.
According to state documents, Emma Painter, 51, pleaded guilty almost two years ago to an obstruction-of-justice charge, was sentenced to probation and community service, and is now working as a courier.
She talked to a student who brought sexual abuse charges against another teacher at Kingsway Regional High School in Woolwich Township (Gloucester County), and admits that might have been a mistake.
But the state Board of Examiners considers this a case of conduct unbecoming a teacher.
They took her 20-year record into account in deciding on a two-year suspension rather than a complete revocation of her teaching credentials.
The teacher accused of the actual abuse, 35-year-old Erica Umosella, pleaded guilty, was sentenced to probation, and surrendered her teaching certificate.