A third-grade Metro Nashville teacher is on paid leave after he confessed to taping several students' mouths shut and taping another student to a chair.

Kevin Ray, a teacher at Park Avenue Elementary, was suspended Feb. 6 after he reported the incident to the principal, said June Keel, head of human resources for Metro Schools. Ray could not immediately be reached for comment.

Keel said Ray reported the incident after realizing it was not an appropriate form of discipline. He allegedly taped the students with packaging tape after they would not quit talking and taped one little girl to the chair while she took a test.

District officials are investigating the case and said they expect to have a decision on Ray's punishment by the end of the week.

This is Ray’s first year teaching in Metro Schools. Park Avenue is located in North Nashville and has an enrollment of about 228 students.

Principal Deltina Braden declined to comment.

Contact Jaime Sarrio at 615-726-5964 or jsarrio@tennessean.com