Kindergarten teacher allegedly found drunk in classroom

A Tacoma kindergarten teacher has been fired after she was allegedly found drunk in her classroom.

Larchmont Elementary School teacher Klara Bowman was found "fairly intoxicated" in her classroom on Feb. 19, after a student went to the principal's office to say something was wrong with her, said Shannon McMinimee, head legal counsel for the Tacoma Public School District.

Bowman, 32, was removed from the classroom and, according to McMinimee, walked into a wall as she was escorted down the hallway by the principal and assistant principal. McMinimee said an empty coffee travel mug was found in Bowman's classroom that smelled of alcohol.

Bowman's employment was terminated last week after an investigation into the incident, according to school officials.

McMinimee said Bowman was the subject of what was described as a "last chance agreement" in 2011 after a previous alcohol-related incident. No further details on the 2011 incident were provided.

Shikira Fernandez's twin girls were taught by Bowman two years ago. She and her children have since seen Bowman regularly at school.

"I just think people need to give her the benefit of the doubt," Fernandez said. "We don't know what's happening personally we don't know what's happening in her own life. Is it excusable? No. But we can't condemn her because she is such a great teacher."

Cox Media Group