Erin Wheeler, Whitmore School 2025 Teacher of the Year, Arrested and Charged With Child Neglect After Allegedly Punching Child

Columbia, South Carolina — A South Carolina special education teacher who was named Whitmore School’s 2025 Teacher of the Year has been arrested and charged with unlawful child neglect after allegedly assaulting a child, according to arrest records.

Erin Wheeler, 34, was taken into custody following an incident on November 27, authorities said. Police allege Wheeler chased the child into a bathroom and repeatedly punched the victim in the forehead and upper body as the child attempted to defend themselves by blocking the blows.

Investigators said the child sustained bruising on their arms consistent with defensive injuries. Authorities noted that the alleged assault did not occur on school property.

Wheeler, a special education teacher at Whitmore School in Columbia, appeared in Lexington County court last week. A judge set her bond at $2,500 and issued a no-contact order between Wheeler and the victim, according to court records.

The child’s mother, who has not been publicly identified, criticized the bond amount, calling it a “low bond” given the severity of the allegations.

Charter school officials said they are aware of the charges against Wheeler but emphasized that the alleged incident did not involve any Whitmore School students. The school serves students in grades 9 through 12.

In a statement, the school said Wheeler has been placed on paid administrative leave while an internal investigation is conducted.

Just months before the arrest, Wheeler was honored as Whitmore School’s 2025 Teacher of the Year, with Executive Director Kim Dunbar praising her for embodying “the essence of an outstanding educator.”

“Her innovative approaches to special education have transformed the learning experiences for her students and set a benchmark for excellence within our school,” Dunbar said at the time.

Wheeler earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Columbia College in 2014 and 2017, and began teaching at Whitmore School in 2015. In fall 2024, she enrolled at Arkansas State University to pursue an Education Specialist degree in Administration, focusing on principalship.

Less than a month before the alleged incident, Wheeler was featured across Whitmore School’s social media platforms advocating for how the school “empowers students and changes lives.”

The case remains under investigation.