'It's not her. It's not who she is': Husband of teacher who cut student's hair says he's shocked, confused

Monday, December 10, 2018
Husband of teacher who cut student's hair says he's shocked, confused
Margaret Geiszinger is being held at the Tulare County Pre-Trial Facility on $100,000 bail after she forcibly cut a student's hair in class.

VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- It's unclear why 52-year-old Margaret Gieszinger did what she did, and her husband expressed his confusion over the situation as well.

RELATED: Boy who had hair forcibly cut 'absolutely terrified', may sue Visalia teacher, says lawyer

Geiszinger is being held at the Tulare County Pre-Trial Facility on $100,000 bail after she forcibly cut a student's hair in class.

Video surfaced Wednesday showing the 52-year-old science teacher chasing students with scissors between desks while belting out the "Star Spangled Banner" at University Preparatory High School.

RELATED: Visalia teacher accused of forcibly cutting kid's hair in class charged with six misdemeanors

She hasn't been charged yet, as the district attorney's office is still reviewing the case.

RELATED: Teacher had meltdown in class days before scissors incident, say students

On Thursday, the Tulare County Office of Education released a statement saying that Gieszinger will not return to her classroom at UPHS, where she has worked since August of this year.

They also added that they will take the most severe employment action appropriate and are deeply concerned for the students who were subjected to the disturbing behavior.

Gieszinger's husband said he is still trying to deal with what's going on.

"It's a shock to me, that's out of her character. She doesn't do stuff like that," he told Action News. "It's not her. It's not who she is. So I don't know what was going on with her. I don't have any clue as to why she did that."

RELATED: VIDEO: Visalia teacher arrested for forcibly cutting kid's hair in class while singing 'Star Spangled Banner'

Records on the Commission on Teaching Credentialing website show that Gieszinger has had her credential suspended twice, once for a week in 2007, and another for nearly two weeks in 2016.

Her LinkedIn page reveals she has previously taught at Orosi High School and also worked in the agriculture industry.

However, officials cannot release more information about the circumstances surrounding those suspensions.

Gieszinger does not have any prior criminal history.