A substitute teacher in Delaware County is under investigation over “potentially” inappropriate communication with a “limited” number of students, according to the Nether Providence Township Police Department.
In a letter addressed to families of Strath Haven Middle School, Principal Christopher Matsanka said the substitute teacher is employed by a staffing agency contracted by the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District. Matsanka also said the suspect will not be allowed to return to district schools.
According to police, school district leaders contacted law enforcement after becoming aware of the allegations.
“Please know that we take this situation very seriously. The safety and wellbeing of our students is our number one priority,” Matsanka wrote in the letter.
JR Godwin, president of Substitute Teacher Service, based in Aston, Pennsylvania, identified the substitute teacher as one of his employees. Police have not identified the suspect.
Following the allegations, Godwin told NBC10 that the substitute teacher was removed from all future positions, and that he was escorted out of the building on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
According to the agency, the employee was hired on Jan. 8, 2026, and passed all necessary clearances to work as a substitute teacher.
In the letter to families, Matsanka also reminded students of the importance of speaking up.
“If an interaction, conversation, message, or other communication makes a student feel uncomfortable or concerned, we encourage them to tell a parent or guardian, teacher, counselor, administrator, or another trusted adult right away,” the letter reads.
Police said that they would not be releasing identifying information or additional details in order to protect the privacy of the students involved and the integrity of the investigation.
Anyone with information relevant to this investigation is asked to contact the Nether Providence Police Department Detective Division at 610-892-2875.
