Blount County Schools Director Justin Ridge has called for the termination of Kathryn Goins, a tenured special education teacher, due to disturbing allegations of misconduct with students dating back to 2020. A recent human resources audit, prompted by another teacher’s assault case, uncovered evidence of Goins’ unprofessional and unethical behavior at Union Grove Elementary School.

Allegations include inappropriate physical interactions with a special education student, locking herself in a bathroom with a student against district policy, and touching a student inappropriately. These claims, supported by notarized staff statements, were not properly investigated or reported to law enforcement at the time.

Goins, whose mother was a school board member and Union Grove’s secretary, is now on administrative leave from Heritage High School, where the principal was unaware of her past accusations. The state’s Department of Children’s Services is currently investigating Goins.