UPDATE: Northwest teacher faces additional charges for relationship with student

Published 10:11 am Thursday, April 26, 2018

The Northwest Whitfield High School teacher arrested Wednesday on drug charges faces additional charges after investigators discovered she was having a sexual relationship with a student.

Raquel Eleana Spencer was charged Wednesday with possession of heroin after she was arrested at the school by the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office, and Thursday morning Capt. Paul Woods said Spencer would also face another felony charge of sexual assault by persons with supervisory or disciplinary authority.

“We are still in the preliminary investigation, but it has come to light she has been carrying on a sexual relationship with a student at the school,” Woods said. “We are still investigating.”

Spencer remained in custody at the county jail and is being held without bond.

Woods said the relationship has been going on for at least a year and began when the student was a juvenile.

Spencer was arrested after students and staff notified the sheriff’s office that Spencer, 28, was possibly under the influence of narcotics, according to the sheriff’s office. Whitfield County Schools spokesman Eric Beavers said in a statement that a staff member reported that Spencer was “exhibiting unusual behavior,” indicating that Spencer may have been under the influence of drugs.

“Administrators went to check on the teacher and escorted her to the office,” Beavers wrote. “Since the safety of our students and staff is a top priority in our schools, the (school resource officer) asked the teacher if she would consent to a search. The teacher consented to the search. The officer found an illegal substance which led to her arrest.”

The drugs were discovered in Spencer’s personal property on school grounds.

According to the Northwest website, Spencer is an English teacher at the school. According to the Northwest student handbook, she is also an assistant cheerleader coach and assistant girls track and field coach. Beavers said she was hired by the school system in January 2013, and said Superintendent Judy Gilreath plans to fire Spencer.

“The superintendent is taking the necessary steps to recommend termination,” Beaver wrote. “The teacher is currently in custody. If she is released she will immediately be placed on administrative leave pending further proceedings regarding her employment.”