Teacher spat in Down syndrome child's face

Marion Johnson was charged with serious misconduct after another teacher at Mt Richmond Special School in south Auckland reported the abuse towards the child. Photo / iStock

An Auckland teacher who spat on a five-year-old Down syndrome boy's face will be allowed to keep teaching.

Marion Johnson was charged with serious misconduct after another teacher at Mt Richmond Special School in south Auckland reported the abuse towards the child, who had apparently spat at her from a trampoline.

A decision from the Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal about the June 2014 incident said Ms Johnson had climbed on to the trampoline and pinned the boy on his back.

She then cupped his face and spat on it, and said: "That'll teach you to spit. Don't you spit at me. Don't you ever spit at me again."

The tribunal ruled Ms Johnson's behaviour was physically and emotionally abusive and was likely to have an adverse effect on the boy's wellbeing and learning.

She resigned after "discussions" following the incident.

While the tribunal considered deregistering Ms Johnson, it instead decided that because of her long and unblemished career, it would not take that step.

Ms Johnson was instead censured and ordered to pay costs.

She must attend an anger management course before resuming teaching.