On January 13, 2025, St. John’s High School in Charleston, South Carolina, proudly published a photo of their Teacher of the Year for the 2024-25 academic year. Sade Delesia Nacheyle Nelson beamed triumphantly as she got her medal and bunch of flowers. In a stunning turn of events in November, Nelson was placed on administrative leave following an October incident at a local Walmart. Nelson faces many accusations after reportedly assaulting her child’s father and his girlfriend during a custody exchange.
Nelson and her baby’s father met at a Walmart in Summerville to exchange custody of their kid, according to WCIV. Summerville police came shortly after a complaint of an attack. According to authorities, Nelson reportedly attempted to hit the man with her automobile. Multiple witnesses informed police that Nelson punched the man and his girlfriend.
According to surveillance footage, Nelson accelerates and the man jumps out of the way to escape being hit by her car. The teacher of the year reportedly told police that a man had attacked her.
Charleston County School District spokesperson Andy Pruitt told WCIV that the district had no comment on the case. “Because this is a personnel matter and an active investigation, the district cannot provide any additional details at this time,” Pruitt told reporters.
As the news spread, Nelson’s fans posted their comments on the occurrence online.
“There’s no way they’re plastering this girl all over for something that didn’t even happen at school…” They act as if she killed someone or f— a pupil. On November 10, someone remarked on Facebook, “That’s so hell man.”
“They need to show that constituent board lady who just got arrested this much too,” another person said.
“Some parts of people’s personal business are just that—personal,” someone acknowledged. “Teachers are still human too.”
A friend wrote that she tried to console Nelson after she gained viral popularity.
“I literally just told her last night Somebody inboxing those pages cause ain’t nobody way in hell man,” the commenter wrote on the post.
Many believed Nelson’s business was personal.
“Exactly! “S— wasn’t even that serious,” another person added.
Nelson is charged with third-degree assault and battery, high-level domestic abuse, and unlawfully putting a kid in danger or causing harm or knowingly abandoning a child, according to the WCIV.
The claims are severe. If she is innocent, fine. However, if she did commit the offenses, it appears to be a significant offense. Attempting to hit someone with your car and physically assaulting another individual are never acceptable. No, it did not occur at school or involve anyone she worked with, but it is nonetheless unacceptable behavior for a teacher tasked with shaping children’s futures.
In a world where someone is constantly watching, we must always be on our best behavior. Just as we tell our children.
