On January 11, a Texas high school teacher was recorded allegedly slamming a student against a wall. Footage of the incident, which has since gone viral, has sparked outrage among parents and netizens, who have called for the teacher’s resignation.
In footage of the incident, which occurred at Humble High School in Humble, Texas, the teacher can be seen wearing jeans and a purple sweater. In an altercation with the student, she can be seen hitting the boy, before proceeding to push him against the classroom wall.
The teacher, who was reportedly a substitute, has since been placed on leave.
Officials condemn actions of Texas teacher
In an official statement, a spokesperson for the Humble school district stated that the incident is being investigated by authorities.
The statement said:
“This shouldn’t have happened. is unacceptable The teacher has been placed on leave. He is undergoing an investigation and it is unlikely that he will return when the investigation is concluded.”
The spokesperson explained that the incident occurred after the student allegedly refused to take his seat.
The statement said:
“On January 11, 2023, the teacher was assisting in another classroom when he used physical force to try to get a student to sit down and listen. These actions are unacceptable and contrary to the standards and expectations of all employees.”
He continued:
“The district has a process for addressing serious concerns that includes reporting to law enforcement and cooperating fully with any law enforcement investigation. Humble ISD Police are investigating.”
In an interview with Fox Houston, the student’s father, Elvert Bolden, explained his son’s account of events. Bolden said that the teacher had no right to resort to violence unless it was a case of self-defense.
The father said:
“Even the teachers’ own policies state that the only time you’re supposed to use force like that is if the student is physically hurting another student or hurting you.”
He added that the Texas teacher escalated the incident by aggressively trying to confront his son.
bolden said:
“(The teacher) stayed in his face, antagonizing him. My son told him, ‘You told me to shut up. I don’t say anything else’ and that’s when they told me the teacher snatched the chair from under my baby.”
Bolden explained that while the teacher has been placed on furlough, he won’t be satisfied until the accused assailant faces formal criminal charges.
He said:
“I want him arrested, charges filed. I want his teaching license revoked. I don’t want him to be able to go to any school in any state and be able to teach another kid in case he does this again. If he had put my hands on my baby, I would have been in jail.”
Authorities have not released the name of the Texas teacher.