Teachers' Circle

I had a lively discussion today with a retired psychologist who found out I was finishing teachers' college.  A question came up.  I told her of a time when I was subbing that I was accosted by a much larger male student.  He pushed me, I tried to push back (I couldn't, but that's beside the point.)  She thought I just had to stand there and take it, I thought I could at least try to defend myself.  That made me wonder: are teachers allowed to physically defend themselves against violent students, or do they truly have to stand there and get slaughtered?

Express!

Beth "Petrouchka"

I've never heard, in school law or any course, that you can't fight back if attacked first. I saw a student push our superintendent backwards over a desk and run. The super chased him and took him down. We've also had several teachers injured breaking up fights between students. I've had a student come at me several times when out of it, angry or upset for many different reasons. These were all elementary. I've grabbed and restrained them.

Sherry