Charges against an Anson County teacher accused of slapping a student have been dropped, but she is still suspended from her job.

"I have always expected to get my job back. This is just another step towards that," said teacher Patricia Frost.

The incident supposedly happened outside of school when Frost asked 18-year-old Johnathan Smith to pull up his sagging pants.

In a previous interview with Eyewitness News, Smith said Frost slapped him. She said it was in self-defense.

"When he came at me, my hand went out like this to push him away from me," Frost said. "My hand did hit his face and he turned around and smacked me on the side of his head with his fist."

While Frost is no longer facing criminal action, she is still suspended without pay.

"We gave the superintendent, once the charges were dropped, the change to reinstate her and the answer was a resounding no," said Frost's attorney Josh Van Kampen.

Frost and her attorney filed an appeal, and said the school district should be concerned about Smith.

He is facing assault charges from a previous incident on campus, but Frost said he's been allowed to continue classes.

"I'm a good teacher and I have passion for students and my job," she said.

Frost wants to keep pushing for the day when she can return to what she loves. She said she hopes to be back to class by Christmas.

Frost's attorney said the next step in the case is a hearing that should happen by the end of December.