A North Carolina middle school had a big problem on the second day of classes after a teacher allegedly became too intoxicated to teach. Deputies from the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office were notified by a resource officer on August 26, 2025, that teacher Alena Cabot, 32, appeared under the influence at E.B. Frink Middle School in La Grange. Investigators reportedly found an open alcohol container and a bottle of prescription pills in Chabot’s purse. Now, she faces charges related to the incident.
Chabot allegedly grabbed and pushed two boys, according to court documents obtained by WBTV. She apparently appeared so intoxicated that she could not teach. A substitute took over her class. It was students who contacted a school resource officer to report the teacher’s strange behavior.
“Once they notified the staff, staff immediately reported it to the school administration, school administration went to the classroom, discovered the teacher was acting strange, immediately pulled her from the classroom, took her back down to the office where they notified the school resource officer who was assigned to the school of the incident to begin the investigation,” Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Josh Garner told WITN.
Harrison Moore, a student in Chabot’s class, told WITN that the teacher’s behavior changed during the day. “At the start of the period, it seemed like it would be a pretty normal day, but I’d say about midway through, I’d started to notice that after the bathroom break, she was slurring her words,” the student said.
The middle schooler added that Chabot interacted in a bizarre way with students that day.
“She had tried to do this weird fist bump thing with students, but she was going like this instead of actually trying to do something,” Harrison added. “I mean, it was really weird, and I was shocked, very shocked.”
The school reportedly hired Chabot to be a math teacher on August 17. She resigned just nine days later, on the day of the incident.
“All of our principals, all of our school resource officers, they work hand in hand, day in, day out, making sure that any incidents that do come up, we’re able to handle swiftly and make sure that everybody stays safe,” Garner told WITN.
The story caused a lively conversation on social media.
“Although it’s not ok. I’d have to be drunk or on nerve medicine to put up with a whole class of these kids now days. Which is why I’m not a teacher,” one person commented.
Others joked about the charges.
“If I ever run into her I will buy her some drinks just for making it as long as she did ! Good job Alena Cheers,” someone else wrote.
Some hoped Chabot will get the help she needs.
“We should pray for her rather than run her down,” a commenter suggested. “No one knows what others are enduring. I’m not saying that she shouldn’t have to answer for it as it was wrong.”
Prosecutors charged Chabot with disorderly conduct on school property and being intoxicated and disruptive, both misdemeanors. According to WITN, Chabot will appear in court on December 1.
