11/25/2025
An elementary school’s Teacher of the Year has been arrested after a disturbing video—allegedly showing her striking her 12-year-old son with a belt was leaked by her adult son.
Nicole Staples, a 2nd-grade teacher, has since been fired from her position and charged with willful abuse of a child under 18.
Her older son, 24-year-old Jackson Staples, says he was the one who provided the footage to Cottage Hill Christian Academy, where his mother worked. Staples had been honored as Teacher of the Year just last May.
“I didn’t feel like she should be working at the school or doing that to my little brothers,” Jackson said, adding that he experienced similar treatment growing up: “She’s done it to me my whole life.”
Jackson’s actions to protect his siblings have been widely praised.
Do you agree with the punishment?
