1st grade teacher charged with choking students

SILVER SPRING, Md. – A Washington-area teacher has been charged with choking and hitting students during the school day.

Greencastle Elementary School teacher Susan Burke was charged Tuesday with nine counts of second-degree assault. Nine of the 6- and 7-year-old students in her class reported that Burke choked them. Some said she kicked or punched them or scratched or tightly squeezed their arms.

Burke was released on bail Wednesday.