Teacher acquitted of assault and then fired

[proud2BlibKansan]

Just outrageous. The school board voted to fire him tonight. Just saw it on the news. He had taught for 37 years.

* Teacher Accused of Kicking, Bruising Student

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. –A William Chrisman High School teacher was acquitted Wednesday of assaulting a student in his History class.

Gene Hoppe, 36, had been charged with assault after he admitted kicking a student after ‘horsing around.’ He said it was in self defense.

According to court documents, Hoppe admitted to kicking the female student, but said it was after she had been kicking him. The incident started playful, both parties reported in court records, but soon turned to kicking.

According to the case narrative, the girl refused to let go of Hoppe’s pens. So, the teacher grabbed the girl’s arm and twisted.

The girl told Hoppe, “Stop. You’re hurting me.”

The student began kicking Hoppe. He kicked back. The girl eventually let go and ran to the school’s office.

more . . . http://www.nbcactionnews.com/news/local/story/Kicking-Teacher-Acquitted-of-Assault-Charge/CGzuMSjnQ0ul6GlIvEFp_Q.cspx

[izquierdista]

1. He taught as a fetus?

36-37=-1?
Wow, I'm impressed!

[mattvermont]

2. he was 36 years old

suggesting he did not teach for 37 years, as the OP suggests.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. This guy is not 36

That's a typo in the article. No way could this guy be 36. I saw him on the news. He's more like 66.

[FLyellowdog]

4. Don't touch the students...

teachers have the right to protect themselves, but they also have the responsibility to walk away. Too bad he didn't stop before this escalated.

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. I agree

But should be have been fired?

[FLyellowdog]

7. His actions showed a lack of judgment,

for certain...perhaps a formal reprimand and retraining...even reassignment...but in today's litigious world, the powers that be are so afraid of parents and their willingness to sue that maybe the board of education thought the risk was too great. Even with the acquittal, one has to wonder if there could be a civil suit brought by the student's family. I can just hear it now..."mental anguish/anxiety and fear of school/etc. etc.etc."

I taught for over 25 years and over the course of time found myself more and more reluctant to handle kids...even in jest, something can go wrong. Teachers are the adults and as such should maintain that level of professionalism which puts them above "horsing around" or doing anything that denigrades their position of authority.

The teacher learned a powerful and expensive lesson. :hi:

[tonysam]

9. That isn't why he was sacked--it was because of his age.

The "assault" nonsense was a convenient excuse to get rid of an older teacher.

This sacking of older teachers goes on all the time in public education because the districts rig the entire legal process in their favor.

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. I wondered about that

[TheMadMonk]

5. Whether or not his actions met the legal definition of assault, he did...

...commit a sackable offense (in most places at least) the moment as he laid hands on the student.

Personally I think this "never touch" rule is over the top, particularly when enforced with zero tollerance heavyhandedness. I believe there are circumstances where physical intervention short of calling in the campus cop with their taser is appropriate.

However, kicking a student, except possibly to disarm, crosses the line.

[tonysam]

8. C'mon. That isn't why he was fired. If he had 37 years in the district,

the false allegations are excuses for age discrimination.

It goes on all the time in public education; you just subscribe to the idea no teacher can be fired unless he or she deserves it.