On Monday at Parkland High School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a student assaulted a teacher, drawing nationwide shock and pointing out the discipline and safety crisis in America’s public schools. Video of the incident quickly spread across social media platforms and shows a Black male teenager repeatedly slapping a White middle-aged female teacher who remained seated through the ordeal.
According to the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, the student was charged on Tuesday with one count of Communicating Threats and two counts of Misdemeanor Assault.
Sheriff Bobby F. Kimbrough Jr. pointed to the community’s role in maintaining respect and order in and out of the classroom. “While we all agree that this incident was deplorable and outrageous to the community, all of us should be outraged when those who educate us can be assaulted,” Kimbrough told reporters.
North Carolina HS student charged after slapping female teacher in profanity-filled classroom tantrum in front of laughing classmates
This should never be allowed in public schools! The Student should be dismissed & sent straight to a detention center! Our society is raising a… pic.twitter.com/DB9jCzamvk
— TheRealCherokeeOwl (@RealCherokeeOwl) April 17, 2024
Parkland High School officials’ response was swift. Principal Noel Keener condemned the student’s actions, and the district took immediate steps to ensure that such behavior was not tolerated. Superintendent Tricia McManus focused on the teacher’s well-being and said there could be “policy reviews” to prevent future incidents.
This episode highlights a growing concern over teachers’ respect and safety in the classroom. The assault at Parkland High School is not just a singular event but a symptom of broader issues plaguing public education systems across the country. The ease with which the video spread online and the reactions it provoked underline the critical role of digital platforms in shaping public opinion and policy. The visibility of such acts of violence has increased with the digital era with the prevalence of smartphones and social media. Where administrators may have previously been able to cover up, or “get in front of” these incidents, instant public access to video evidence has changed the public’s perception of the true state of public schools permanently.
Meanwhile, these sorts of brutal incidents are adding fuel to the argument for school choice — a system that stands for the idea that parents should have the option to select educational environments that align with their values and safety priorities.
