An elementary school teacher from East Quogue was arrested on drug charges Saturday for the second time in six months, police say.

According to authorities, 24-year-old Ryan McCready, a physical education instructor at Southampton Elementary School, was pulled over on Sunrise Highway March 17. During the traffic stop, officers allegedly found a hypodermic needle and a small amount of drugs in McCready's car.

McCready was charged with driving while ability-impaired and criminal possession of a controlled substance.

School officials say they first heard about McCready's arrest on Tuesday, which was also when they found out about his previous run-in with the law that happened in September. The teacher has been placed on administrative leave.

The Southampton schools superintendent posted a letter on the district's Web site, notifying parents of McCready's arrest. The letter emphasized that the legal issues the teacher faces "have no relationship to the school, students, staff or faculty."

McCready is due back in court April 20.