Oklahoma teacher arrested for breaking student's collarbone during horseplay

In Oklahoma City, Kiera 'Keke' Smith, a 41-year-old teacher, was arrested on aggravated assault and battery charges following an incident on November 21, 2024. This event occurred during a science/advisory period when a 13-year-old student was play-fighting with other classmates and teachers, including Smith. The play-fighting escalated, leading to Smith allegedly lifting the student and slamming him to the ground, resulting in a broken collarbone. After the incident, the boy laid on the floor in pain for about 15 minutes before his mother, who works at the school, arrived. It was reported that Smith remained seated at her desk while the injured student was on the ground. Despite the incident's severity, Smith seemed to downplay the situation during police questioning, indicating she typically engages in playful altercations with students, claiming the student appeared fine immediately after the event. A history of troubling behavior appears to shadow Smith’s career; she was previously convicted of misdemeanor assault and battery against a teacher in 2019 and charged with sexual battery in 2018. These past incidents may provide insight into her current behavior and the perception of safety in the classroom. Following the incident, Oklahoma City Public Schools placed Smith on administrative leave, highlighting a commitment to student safety. The local school community is now calling for accountability, prompting discussions about teacher conduct and appropriate boundaries with students. People are increasingly concerned about the implications of such behavior in educational environments, questioning how it reflects on the institution’s standards and the safety of students in their care.