A substitute teacher for McKinney ISD has been fired after video showed her encouraging students to fight in the middle of her classroom.
Mother Beatriz Martinez says it was like a "fight club" in class.
Martinez, whose daughter recorded the incident , told NBC DFW, "I was devastated. I was like, I couldn't watch the full video. I had to stop it multiple times because I didn't think it was real. I was like, this must be a prank. This is not real.
"There's no explanation, she just wanted those kids to fight."
Martinez said the teacher, who was subbing at Kimbrough Middle School, pushed desks aside in the room to create more space for the students to scuffle, and even assigned someone to keep watch at the door.
Martinez' daughter said she had the substitute teacher two times before, with no incidents, and that the fights were encouraged after a conversation the students were having with the teacher.
Martinez said her daughter was being antagonized to fight three girls during the incident, as some called out names of students to fight each other. The fights concluded when the bell rang.
After learning of the incident, Mesquite ISD said it fired the substitute teacher and called parents whose students were in the class with an update on the situation and the response.
The school released a statement that read:
The teacher involved was a substitute teacher employed by Mesquite ISD since March 6. As of yesterday, she is no longer employed by the district and is not eligible for rehire in any capacity. Our investigation revealed that this substitute teacher encouraged students to fight each other during class, outlined rules for the students to follow and even instructed a student to monitor the classroom door while the fights took place. Her actions are appalling and intolerable.
Yesterday afternoon, campus administrators personally contacted all parents of the students in the class by phone to inform them of the situation and the school's swift response. As educators, our hearts are heavy knowing that an individual entrusted with the supervision and care of our students could behave in this manner, and we share the disgust that the families of students in this class must feel. MISD referred this matter to Mesquite Police to pursue possible criminal charges resulting from this former substitute's reckless and irresponsible actions.
Thus far, no arrests have been made, but the case is being "actively investigated."
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