Police say a Bronx teacher was arrested Friday after a seventh-grader at Aspire Preparatory Middle School claims the teacher threw a chair at him.

Joseph Santiago, 12, admits he called out in class twice on Thursday, the second time telling teacher Kevin Martin to ?shut the freak up.? According to Santiago, Martin got angry, came up behind him and pulled the chair out from under him before turning it upside down and throwing it. Santiago says he has a bruise on his leg as a result.

The police confirm that Martin was charged with reckless endangerment. According to a community activist with the teacher?s union, Martin slammed down the chair to get Santiago?s attention. The Department of Education issued a statement saying it is taking this matter very seriously. Martin has been reassigned away from children pending the investigation.