When School Districts Stay Silent: The Cross-State Teacher Accused Of “Inappropriate” Relationships With Students

Image Credit: Ridgeland High School & Canva

The Tennessee Conservative Staff –

A Walker County, Georgia, teacher is the subject of intense scrutiny after it was discovered that he allegedly had an inappropriate relationship with a student while employed in Hamilton County.

Nathan Dawson, a former teacher at Central High School in Chattanooga, is currently teaching science at Ridgeland High School in Walker County. 

According to a notarized statement from the alleged victim, Dawson engaged in an “inappropriate relationship” with the student, now 20, when she was only 16.

“I was the victim of an inappropriate relationship with my former teacher Nathan Dawson while I was a student at Central High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee,” the woman said in her statement.

A review of Dawson’s professional record from Hamilton County Schools shows that the district began an investigation in February 2024 after receiving a tip about the alleged relationship. 

While it is noted that “HCS was ultimately not able to definitively determine” what had happened, Superintendent Justin Robertson noted that Dawson exhibited “unprofessional conduct” and was “not being truthful” regarding communication with the student.

His contract was not renewed for the 2024-2025 school year.

According to Walker County Superintendent Damon Raines, the district does complete background checks on new hires but they do not typically review personnel files. 

These allegations are not Dawson’s first issue with maintaining professional relationships with students. Dawson previously taught in Dalton Public Schools from 2012 to 2014.

According to NewsChannel 9, Dawson’s Georgia teacher certification shows that he also received a formal reprimand in 2017 for violating codes related to honesty, testing, and conduct with students.

While details are not given, the board originally recommended a 15-day suspension but that was negotiated down to a reprimand.

Dawson currently has no criminal charges against him in either Tennessee or Georgia.