Violence/intimidation against educators is a growing concern

Outright defiance and even violence against teachers in area schools has become a growing problem. Sandra Hauer, President of Jefferson Parish Federation of Teachers and Vice President of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers says she’s hearing from a growing amount of Jefferson Parish educators who are concerned about students getting aggressive.

A newly introduced House bill called the Teacher’s Shield Act is aimed at protecting educators from assault. The bill would require students who commit violent acts to be removed from the school’s campus for at least two semesters and allows extra support for staff who have been impacted by violence in the school.

“The kids aren’t suffering any consequences, so it’s more or less being put on the teachers. They’re being asked what they did to upset the child,” emphasizes Hauer. She says a lack of accountability both at home and in school for aggressive students emboldens them to continue the behavior.

The bill also aims to curb online bullying of school employees. “These kids go home, they tell their parents their own version of what happened. Then, the parents are on social media and in some instances calling the teacher or school support employee out by name,” added Hauer.

The Teacher’s Shield Act would extend protection not just to educators but to employees at schools who experience violence at the hands of students. That protection would extend to verbal abuse, online bullying, physical intimidation, and physical assault.