Teacher puts leash on student

PORT ORANGE, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - A Port Orange teacher is suspended for one day, without pay, for having a student put a bungee cord around his neck and act like a dog.

Police said 55-year-old Teri Volkman, a Silver Sands Middle School geography teacher, told a misbehaving student, "if you're going to act like an animal, you're gonna be treated like one."

Students in the classroom told police that Volkman had another student guide the kid around the classroom like he was a dog. The student went home with red marks on his neck. His mother called police.

Fellow teacher and friend, Shelia Pence, believes people have been too quick to judge Volkman. "I know for a fact she has spent hours planning for her students. She's always upbeat," said Pence. "Some parents are saying a one-day suspension is not enough. A one-day suspension is too much for her, because I'm sure that she had the best interest in her mind."

According to police documents, there was probable cause to charge Volkman with child neglect. The State Attorney's office decided not to press charges, but left disciplinary action in the hands of the school district.

Volusia County school leaders said Volkman has been with the district for twenty-one years, and has never had any problems.