A middle school teacher for Erie’s Public Schools identified as Tyler Grant Funk, 24, has been placed on leave after he was arrested earlier this month on two felony charges stemming from the involvement with child sexual abuse material.
Funk faces charges under Pennsylvania law, Title 18 Section 6312 D, which states, any person who intentionally views or knowingly possesses or controls any child sexual abuse material or artificially generated child sexual abuse material commits an offense.
According to the criminal docket, the offenses occurred on Oct. 1, 2025. Erie police arrested Funk on Nov. 5, and he was arraigned before Magisterial Judge Laurie Mikielski.
On his linked-in page, Funk described his position with Erie’s Public Schools as Dual-Role Educator. He taught 7th and 8th grade ELA and was the Marching Band Front Ensemble Instructor. Sources stated that he was teaching at the Patrick J. DiPaolo Student Success Center at Emerson-Gridley.
Erie’s Public Schools would not comment on Funk’s job with the district but did confirm the teacher has been placed on leave and issued the following statement.
“As a District, we are deeply concerned and appalled by Mr. Funk’s alleged actions and are fully cooperating with law enforcement. Mr. Funk is currently on leave and is not permitted in any district building as the criminal investigation continues. We have no higher priority than the safety and security of our staff and students and have initiated our own investigation as well.”
Funk was scheduled for a preliminary hearing in central court on Nov. 18. That hearing has been continued until Dec. 12.