A Connecticut private school teacher was fired after he allegedly ‘inappropriately’ tickled a student at the Jewish day school.
Nicholas Ricciardi, 46, a classroom teacher of 20 years, was arrested on January 17 and charged with risk of injury to a child and breach of peace after a parent reported him.
The father-of-two was employed at the Soloman Schechter Day School, a Jewish day school that educates children from early childhood through eighth grade.
Sometime before Thanksgiving, Rabbi Jonathan Berger, head of the West Hartford school, said that a parent approached him, reporting that their child had been tickled by Ricciardi.
The school immediately placed the teacher on leave and reported the alleged incident to the Department of Children and Families.
The DCF did not accept the case for further investigation and allowed the Manchester-native to return to the school, with the understanding that tickling was not acceptable.
However on December 13, the school received another complaint from a second parent who raised concerns about a similar incident.
The parent claimed that their child was ‘inappropriately touched by her teacher multiple times’ while at school. The report described the alleged inappropriate touching as ‘tickling the victim around the belly button area.’
Nicholas Ricciardi, 46, a classroom teacher of 20 years, was fired from his job as a first and second-grade teacher after a parent claimed their child was ‘inappropriately touched by her teacher multiple times’ while at school
The besmirched teacher was immediately placed leave following a complaint issued sometime before Thanksgiving
The 46-year-old was placed on leave once again and the DCF was notified, this time accepting the claim and opening an investigation.
The West Hartford Police were also notified of the incident, prompting a subsequent police investigation that resulted in an arrest warrant, charging the suspect with criminal violations.
Rabbi Jonathan Berger, head of the West Hartford school
Ricciardi was barred from returning to the day school’s campus in mid-December, and is no longer employed with the school.
‘None of our higher-level priorities [inspiring students to love learning, celebrate Jewish life, build a vibrant future for themselves, etc.] are possible, and none are important, without a foundation of child safety,’ Rabbi Berger said in a statement.
School officials said tickling on the students’ abdomen was the full extent of what happened, and that they are unaware of any inappropriate behavior beyond that.
After his January 17 arrest, Ricciardi posted the $40,000 bond and is due in Hartford Superior Court on January 30.
Ricciardi started work at the Soloman Schechter Day School this past school year as a first and second-grade general studies teacher.
‘In addition to being a classroom teacher for 20 years, Nick is also a certified yoga instructor and personal trainer,’ the school wrote in a Facebook post on August 22.
Ricciardi started work at the Soloman Schechter Day School in West Hartford (pictured) this past school year as a first and second-grade general studies teacher
The former school teacher also works at West Hartford Yoga, where he specializes in yogic meditation and pranayama breathwork.
‘Nick is a Certified Personal Trainer and has taught throughout the region since 1998.
In addition to his work in fitness facilities, he has a strong background in Martial Arts – training in Jiu-jitsu, Judo, Aikido and Tai Chi to strengthen body, mind and spirit,’ his profile on the yoga studio’s website reads.
‘When not working in the health and fitness field, Nick is a teacher, working primarily with inner city students, and bringing yoga and mindfulness to this under-served population.’
The investigation into the alleged incident remains ongoing.
