A science teacher at a Johns Creek high school resigned after a school district investigation into claims that he made several inappropriate comments — some sexual — to students, according to Channel 2 Action News.
Matthew Odom abruptly left his post at Chattahoochee High School weeks before the end of the school year last month. He was hired in August 2016 after working as a substitute teacher with Gwinnett County schools for three months.
When asked for comment, Fulton County schools spokeswoman Donna Lowry sent The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Channel 2 the note Principal Timothy Corrigan sent to parents on May 14.
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The letter said Odom “has separated from Fulton County Schools” as of that day.
“Our first and overwhelming objective is to continue to provide your student with the highest level of instruction for which Chattahoochee is known! We appreciate your understanding and please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns,” Corrigan’s letter read.
Odom could not be reached for comment.
It is unclear from Fulton County Schools’ documents obtained through the Open Records Act how the allegations against Odom surfaced.
Some emails with concerns were sent to the administration in late April.
According to the documents, district officials asked Odom about several times he allegedly commented on students’ clothing or told sexual jokes. The investigative report also said he was “touchy feely” with female students.
In one instance, Odom told a student he liked their outfit better the day before, saying they “looked cuter yesterday,” according to the investigative report.
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When asked if he was flirtatious with students, Odom said: “Yea, I’m kind of flirtatious. It’s kind of my personality. It’s not like directly flirtatious. I’m just kind of fun and relaxed with my students.”
He denied any inappropriate touching and told investigators that he hadn’t heard some of the allegations before being asked about them.
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An assistant principal also wrote a letter to Odom around late April detailing how he had been late on several occasions, including one where his classroom door was locked and his lights were off when first period was beginning.
Nothing in the documents, which are redacted, indicated that Odom resigned directly because of the allegations or the investigation.
There is no active investigation into any wrongdoing by Odom since his resignation, Lowry said.
When applying for the Chattahoochee High position, Odom’s resume said he wanted to make a career of teaching high school science.
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