Seminole Co. teacher accused of trying to tape female student's mouth shut

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A Seminole County trainer and teacher who spent more than two decades teaching children has been suspended without pay.

Some students said they saw the Lake Brantley High School athletic trainer and science teacher Gregory Sims tie up a disruptive female student with tape during class.

District officials said Sims first taped her hands together, tried to tape her mouth shut and taped her book bag to a pole.

Those students told administration and Sims was suspended.

Parents whose children attend Lake Brantley High School said they were baffled by the whole thing.

"I don't think anything could really warrant that," parent Sue Parker said.

"It scares me, because I don't know who to trust," parent Maria Hernandez said.

The Seminole County school board approved his suspension Tuesday night.

It's not the first time he's been disciplined.

The district said Sims was first talked to about his behavior in 1999.

In 2001, he was suspended for misconduct and embarrassing students.

Four years later, he was again warned after he called a female student a derogatory name.

In 2008, he was suspended again for the same thing.

No one at Sims' house wanted to comment.

People who know him said he seems to enjoy his job and helping students and athletes.

WFTV