As Polish media report on Wednesday, the teacher explained that she had not removed or disposed of a cross, but a plastic element of a Halloween costume.
This was hung by students over a hamster cage in the classroom.
"I respect objects of religious reverence and would never throw away a cross that represents faith," the teacher said.
The incident occurred in recent weeks at an elementary school in northern Poland.
Previously, Polish media had reported that the teacher had ordered the removal of a cross from the classroom and later removed it herself.
Parents reacted with outrage, the case spread quickly on social media.
The Archbishop of Gdańsk, Tadeusz Wojda, spoke of a scandal and called for a swift clarification.
Finally, the school provisionally suspended the teacher from duty.
Target of massive hostility
According to its own information, it subsequently became the target of massive hostility and political attacks. Accusations that she had made offensive or anti-religious statements, she dismissed.
"There can be no talk of a crime here. The media representation does not correspond to reality," she said, announcing that it would appeal the suspension.
The teacher's lawyer explained that it was crucial whether the disposed object was legally an "object of religious reverence."
This will require an expert opinion.