Kindergarten Teacher: Beer Cans — Empty and Full — Found in Classroom

A kindergarten teacher in Iowa has been arrested and accused of drinking beer in the classroom.

Jennifer L. Rich, 40, of West Des Moines, was arrested for public intoxication and child endangerment after a parent reported seeing the teacher with a beer in the classroom, the Des Moines Register reported.

Rich tested positive in a preliminary breath test device, and officers found empty and full beer cans at the school, the newspaper reported.

The school board accepted Rich’s resignation and has found a substitute for the remainder of the year, KCCI-TV reported.

“We thoroughly investigate any report that raises a concern about the conduct of a staff member. Our students are our first priority,” East Elementary School Principal Julianne Taylor said, according to the station.

The parent who reported the beer was at the classroom to help with a Valentine’s party Friday, according to a police news release. Officers questioning Rich said her “eyes were bloodshot and watery confirming their initial suspicions of public intoxication.”

Rich had been with the district since 2001. Her neighbors described her as "a sensitive and beautiful woman with a very big heart" and a good mother to her children, the Des Moines Register said.

Twitter users responded to the report.

Kindergarten Teacher Allegedly Drinks Beer At School http://t.co/BZK2l1cG33 v-Do that on your own time-bad example to our future.

— Paul David Salazar (@sparkie119) February 18, 2015

To the kindergarten teacher caught drinking beer during conferences - next time, Gin and Juicebox. #ThugLife

— AdamCarroll (@AdamCarroll) February 18, 2015

Beer in Iowa kindergarten class leads to teacher's arrest. (That's a very sad sentence to type.) http://t.co/Xcgw5GN2eA

— Rick Green (@IowaRAG) February 17, 2015

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