West Memphis Teacher Arrested After Allegedly Choking Student During Classroom Incident

A teacher in West Memphis has been arrested after authorities say a classroom confrontation with a student escalated into a physical assault.

According to the West Memphis Police Department, 56-year-old Tracey Matthews was taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault following an incident on April 15 at Wonder Junior High School. Police said school resource officers were notified by administrators and later reviewed surveillance footage before detectives launched an investigation.

Investigators say the altercation reportedly began after a student asked for a computer and referred to the teacher as “bruh.” According to reports citing police documents, Matthews responded, “I’m not your bruh, I’m your sir.” Authorities allege the exchange then turned physical, with the teacher grabbing the student by the shirt, pushing him into a desk, and later grabbing him by the neck and choking him against a wall.

The student reported difficulty breathing following the encounter, according to police records. Officials say the matter was then reported to the school principal, who turned over video evidence to investigators.

The West Memphis School District described the event as an “isolated incident” and said student and staff safety remains its top priority. District officials declined further comment because the matter is now part of an active law enforcement case.

Matthews was later released on bond, according to jail records. The case remains under investigation.