Over a year ago, I was the victim of two terrible domestic violence situations in which I was the victim. Both times (2 months apart), I, along with the perpetrator, was arrested and charged; me for simple assault (because I fought back; the first time he had a black eye and the second time he had four scratches on his face, yet I was black and blue from head to toe) and him for assault against a female (both times, although the second time the charges were increased to Felony Assault by Strangulation, and three other misdemeanors). He was prosecuted and eventually pled guilty; my charges were dropped.

I almost lost my teaching job because my principal said "it doesn't look good to have one of our teachers arrested," but was able to convince him that it would be the worst thing for the kids (my state is also a right-to-work state). I finished the school year out and returned this year and have had a very successful year. :)

I live and teach in a very small community where everyone knows everyone else's business and, honestly, I am tired of it and wish to move. I am seriously considering a move to Knoxville, TN but am very nervous to even apply for a teaching job there because they specifically ask about arrest and charges, in addition to convictions. I thought it was illegal to ask about those things, but now I find out it's not in TN.

Will being arrested for and charged with simple assault prevent me from getting a teaching job, even though the charges were dropped? I am finishing out my 17th year of teaching and would be devastated if I couldn't teach anymore, especially because of what I've already gone through.

I am also in the process of having the record expunged but it doesn't happen overnight.

I am a first year teacher. Don't get it expunged! I was arrested for the same thing in 2001 in FL! I plead no contest and adjudication was withheld. As long as your arrest is a misdemeanor and doesn't say "domestic violence", you should be fine. You must supply the arrest record and deposition, and then it is up to that district to determine if you are employable or not. 90% of the time you will be good to go. If you get your arrest expunged, you are in for a world of document chasing, and a lot of districts don't want the headache. Sadly, they ask if you have ever been arrested, convicted, plead no contest, had adjudication withheld and records expunged in FL. I think it probably is the same nearly everywhere else in the SE.

... You must supply the arrest record and deposition, ...

Disposition?

I said I was a teacher, not a lawyer. Did you try to find an error in my paragraph?

Where did you find out what type of questions they ask that had to do with the background check?