Oakhurst teacher cleared in bully case

Action News spoke with the district's superintendent who says, as it turns out, Brown did nothing wrong when she told parents about an alleged bully in her classroom.

For the first time in nearly two months, Elaine Brown says she finally has reason to celebrate. On Thursday, her ordeal came to an end, after learning she'll be back in the classroom as early as next week.

Brown said, "Oh really happy. You know, really really happy. I really want to be back with my children."

The second grade teacher at Oakhurst Elementary School has been on paid administrative leave since late November. District officials claimed she violated the school's privacy policy by alerting parents, and the Madera County Sheriff's office, about an alleged bully in her classroom.

Since then, her story has garnered national attention, including a recent appearance on Good Morning America, as well as Fox News's Bill O-Reilly show on Thursday night.

Brown said, "I'm hoping there's going to be a lot of change taking place over this; you know, people listen and take action when they minimize them. I'm really looking forward to seeing that change."

Change, Brown says her students need now more than ever.

The school and community have been shaken by the murder of five-year old Marijane Lewis on Tuesday, just days after two other Oakhurst Elementary Students Alexis and Jayden Montoya died inside their home from carbon monoxide poisoning. Jayden was in Brown's second grade classroom this year.

Brown said, "We've been in a hard and difficult situation all around with the deaths, with my situation and what we are going to learn from this and get stronger and better, not bitter."

The alleged bully in the center of all this has been moved to another second grade classroom. Brown is expected to be back on campus this Monday.