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 "Administrator Response to Assault on a Teacher"
 Presentation to the Alief Board of Education
February 19, 2008

Dear Members:

It is, of course, shocking when a teacher is attacked by a student - - but the astonishing reaction of the campus administration in this case of assault is bewildering. It simply defies common  sense.

Is this just mismanagement and error on the part of a couple of administrators? Or, is it a pattern of administrative contempt for the value of teachers in general?

Such failure to support one teacher in an extreme situation suggests an alarming and perhaps institutional  indifference to the value of teachers in general.

And, such negligence is yet another devastating blow to teacher morale in this district.

If you have been the victim of an attack, please click on this  and report it to us. We must make sure this is not a typical response to violence against teachers and staff across the district.

Good evening, President Winkler, School Board Members, and Dr. Stoerner.

This evening, I need to talk to you about an incident that happened to one of my members last week. She was assaulted by a student - - dragged down to the floor and then hit in the arm with a chair that the student picked up for that purpose.  A clear case of assault, don’t you agree?

But the assault is not why I am speaking tonight. 

I am sorry to report that campus administration failed to support the injured teacher - - as the law and good sense requires.  For some reason I cannot explain, campus administration chose not to call in the campus police at once and file an assault charge on the student, thus initiating an investigation.  Furthermore, a campus police officer refused to file charges on this student when the teacher requested such documentation so she could apply for needed assault leave while she recovers.   This officer told her that no charges could be filed without approval of the administrator.  

Adding insult to injury - - literally - - administration did not call for medical attention for the injured teacher.  Sadly, no one from administration even called the teacher at home the next day to ask after her wellbeing (until later in the week when A-TSTA became involved). 

And, unbelievably, no disciplinary action was taken against the student as far as we know.

This entire episode shows a shocking disregard for the wellbeing and safety of teachers and other staff.  And it sends a clear message: “Teachers don’t matter to Alief administrators.” 

In fact, the administrative response to this incident brings up some troubling questions for us all to consider:

  • In this district, are teachers expected to submit to student assault, without recourse?

  • Is it district policy to hide incidents of violence toward teachers?

  • Are administrators so poorly trained in legal matters that they believe assault on a person is to be ignored, ever ?

  • Should teachers and other staff who handle difficult students have the expectation that they must forfeit their own personal safety to work with such students or with any students?

  • Are teachers valued?  Or are we expendable?

A-TSTA calls on administration and the school board to forcefully instruct all administrators in the proper and legal responses to violence on a teacher or other staff. There should be no question of correct procedures to follow when such an assault occurs. There should be no delay is assisting the injured teacher with medical attention. And there should be no hesitation in seeing that the injured teacher is placed on assault leave, should the recovery require it. 

This whole mismanaged situation is outrageous - - and shows a general and callous disregard for the value of teachers and staff. 

How can the district expect to retain qualified and dedicated teachers and staff?

Think about it.

Thank you.

Mary Ann Reuter, President
Alief-TSTA/NEA