The Tennessee State Board of Education voted seven-to-two to suspend the teaching license of Joseph Dalton, a former Blount County Schools teacher, for three years after he pleaded guilty to multiple counts of assaulting students.

The decision, finalized during the board’s quarterly meeting on Friday, followed a tentative suspension in May. Dalton, who resigned before his January 2024 arrest, was sentenced to six months of supervised probation for five assault charges. Investigations revealed he had inappropriately hugged, tickled, and swayed with students, making at least one student uncomfortable with his proximity.

To regain his license after the suspension, Dalton must complete 50 hours of professional development focused on in-classroom training, pass a clinical review, and face a board vote for reinstatement.