Recent Incidents in Celina ISD: Teacher Misconduct and Investigations

Since early October, three Celina ISD teachers have been placed on administrative leave over allegations of misconduct ranging from showing up to work intoxicated to possession of child pornography.

Here’s what we know about each of the cases.

Caleb Elliott: A Case of Child Pornography and Misconduct

Caleb Elliott, 26, now a former history teacher and football coach at Moore Middle School, was arrested on Oct. 3 after he was accused of secretly taking images of boys showering and undressing in a locker room. He faces charges of invasive visual recording and possession or promotion of child pornography.

District officials said Elliott resigned about two weeks after he was taken into custody, and surrendered his teaching license to the Texas Education Agency.

Two lawsuits have since been filed. The suits allege Elliott had a sexual relationship with a student when he was a teacher and assistant football coach at Celina High School during the 2022-23 school year, and that the district transferred him to the middle school after learning of the abuse. The latest suit also noted at least 30 families have been notified that images of their children were found on Elliott’s phone.

Bill Elliott, Caleb Elliott’s father and Celina High School’s head football coach, has been placed on nondisciplinary paid leave at the recommendation of a third-party investigator.

District officials have said Bill Elliott is not being accused of any wrongdoing, but after being identified in the hiring and supervision of his son, the district said his presence could interfere with the investigation. Allison Ginn, Moore Middle School’s principal, was also placed on paid leave for the same reasons.

“There’s one person to blame for all this, one person who made a bad decision and a bad choice and is in a dark, dark place,” Bill Elliott said of his son at a recent school board meeting. “And he will serve the justice that will be served to him. He will face the consequences that will come to him. He will.”

Jainya Walder: A Case of Impaired Teaching

Jainya Walder, 40, was arrested on Oct. 30 after police say she showed up to work “impaired.”

According to Celina police officials, officers questioned and detained Walder at Moore Middle School, where she is listed on the district’s website as a secondary English teacher. She faces a charge of endangering a child.

In a letter sent to parents, interim Principal Kendric Smith said Walder was placed on administrative leave.

“I am proud of our staff members who alerted our administrative team of this matter, and we continue to emphasize to students and staff the importance of when any of us ‘see something, say something,’” Smith wrote.

Neil Phillips: A Case of Inappropriate Conduct

According to an email sent to parents of Celina High School students, Celina ISD became aware of a social media post on Oct. 31 about allegations of inappropriate conduct involving head wrestling coach Neil Phillips at his previous job in Melissa ISD.

The email said Celina ISD officials placed Phillips, who is also a social studies teacher, on administrative leave. They also notified the Texas Education Agency and referred the matter to law enforcement.

A video posted Friday on Facebook alleged Phillips was showing freshman students how to use an “AI tool” in a “sexually inappropriate way.” In the audio, students can be heard asking for the chatbot to be put on “sexy mode” before an AI voice makes several sexually suggestive remarks, making the students laugh.

The video stated other parts of the audio were not included due to explicit language. The source of audio was not immediately clear.

In a statement sent to parents Monday, Melissa ISD officials said Melissa High School students reported concerns about Phillips’ actions during class on March 5.

The statement said Phillips, who was in his second year with the district, was immediately placed on leave as the district began an investigation and notified the students’ parents. Phillips resigned less than a week later and informed the district he was seeking employment elsewhere.

While the district reviewed audio recordings of the class during their investigation, the statement said the audio currently circulating online was not made available at the time.

Melissa ISD’s investigation into Phillips concluded on March 25, the statement said, and Celina ISD contacted them two days later about Phillips’ employment.

According to the statement, Melissa ISD provided “a truthful and accurate” reference to Celina ISD. However, Celina ISD said Phillips had a clean application record, which denied any prior investigations, times he was placed on leave or resignations in lieu of termination. He also had a clear certificate with the Texas Education Agency, Celina ISD said.

Conclusion

The recent incidents in Celina ISD have raised concerns about teacher misconduct and the need for improved background checks and investigations. The district has taken steps to address the issues, including placing the teachers on administrative leave and notifying the Texas Education Agency and law enforcement.

The incidents serve as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and reporting any suspicious behavior. As Bill Elliott said, “There’s one person to blame for all this, one person who made a bad decision and a bad choice and is in a dark, dark place.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What happened to Caleb Elliott?

Caleb Elliott, a former history teacher and football coach at Moore Middle School, was arrested on Oct. 3 after he was accused of secretly taking images of boys showering and undressing in a locker room. He faces charges of invasive visual recording and possession or promotion of child pornography.

Q: What happened to Jainya Walder?

Jainya Walder, a secondary English teacher at Moore Middle School, was arrested on Oct. 30 after police say she showed up to work “impaired.” She faces a charge of endangering a child.

Q: What happened to Neil Phillips?

Neil Phillips, a head wrestling coach and social studies teacher at Celina High School, was placed on administrative leave after allegations of inappropriate conduct involving his previous job in Melissa ISD. A video posted on Facebook alleged Phillips was showing freshman students how to use an “AI tool” in a “sexually inappropriate way.”

Q: What is the district doing to address the issues?

The district has placed the teachers on administrative leave, notified the Texas Education Agency and law enforcement, and is conducting investigations into the incidents.

Q: How can I report suspicious behavior?

If you suspect any suspicious behavior, you can report it to the school administration or the district’s human resources department. You can also contact the Texas Education Agency or law enforcement if you believe a crime has been committed.