Guinta Middle School Teacher Accused Of Slapping Student

RIVERVIEW, FL -- A Giunta Middle School teacher was arrested on Friday afternoon after being accused of slapping a student in her classroom.

Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputies were called to Giunta Middle School, 4202 S Falkenburg Road, in Riverview just before noon on Friday, after a 13-year-old male student reported that his teacher, Sheila Marie Vakili, 63, struck him in the face during class.

The victim and multiple students in his classroom at the time of the incident were interviewed by deputies. Their stories were consistent in saying that the victim made a profane comment during class. Vakili heard the comment and believed the student called her an offensive name.

According to the students, Vakili smacked the victim in his face with enough force to cause redness and swelling.

The student's parents were called to the school. Vakili refused to be interviewed by deputies on the advice of her attorney and a representative from a teachers' union.

Vakili was arrested for simple battery-child abuse.

"The safety of our Hillsborough County students is something we take very seriously," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "A teacher is supposed to be a role model to the young people in their classrooms and set an example for how to behave, even at a time of frustration. It is never acceptable for a teacher to become physically violent with a student."

Vakili was booked into Orient Road Jail where bond was set at $2,000.

A seventh-grade reading teacher at Guinta Middle School, Vakili lives in Temple Terrace.