Corsicana ISD Assistant Principal attacked by student: Who will protect the students?

Tears welled up in my eyes as I watched Corsicana ISD Assistant Principal Candra Rogers describe the horrific incident that occurred at the middle school she leads. Like many educators across the nation, she went to diffuse a situation with an irate student who had become dangerously enraged in a behavior classroom.

As the assistant principal went to assist in protecting both the student and teacher, three chairs were thrown at her. She tried to redirect the student by using the techniques she was taught in the many trainings she has endured over her career. However, speaking slowly and lowly did not divert the student’s behavior, and she quickly used innate survival skills to protect herself and avoid contact. The student then threw a wooden hanger at her, which hit her in the eye, causing her eye to fall out of the socket. She had to be airlifted to Parkland Hospital in Dallas, an hour away, to undergo emergency surgery.

With all of the masterful efforts of the surgeons, they were able to reattach the eye. Unfortunately, doctors believe her right eye will be permanently blinded.

The Press Conference: Violence Exposed

Her press conference reminded me of the days I spent in the classroom. I thought about the countless fights I broke up and the behavior of students I had to diffuse, who most times exploded because of minor infractions, if any. I never realized how often I had placed myself in harm’s way. It never crossed my mind that I could end up with life-threatening injuries because I was more concerned about ensuring the safety of my students and peers. Even after my husband begged me to stop inserting myself into fights and instead call for assistance from security, I could not resist.

Watching those types of violent acts unfold, your instincts are to react and save the people fighting. You know that waiting for assistance could mean life or death, and you want to prevent any mishaps from occurring, even if you are unknowingly placing yourself in harm’s way.

School Violence: Not a New Issue

Let’s be clear: issues like this have occurred for decades at schools, especially those in disenfranchised areas. Candra’s story is the opportunity to start having crucial conversations about how we protect our educators. We must begin to rethink our goals around school safety and ensure we are committed to identifying and implementing solutions that will protect students and educators. Educators are not MARTYRS! We deserve to go to school and feel safe. We deserve to return home to our families in one piece.

Four Ways to Prioritize American Schools

There are four focal points we must prioritize to ensure we are able to secure America’s schools. Otherwise, we can continue to watch the mass of educators across the country!

1. Let teachers be a part of creating the policies and rules that govern discipline. Stakeholders far removed from the classroom should not be the only voices at the decision-making table. Trust the teachers. They know what they need to feel safe and protected.

2. Provide better mental health resources at schools. There has to be an intense focus on having dedicated, certified mental health specialists at campuses, especially those that hold behavior classes. It is imperative that the mental health specialists are connected to the community they service. They must be aware of the needs of the internal and external school community and are able to provide relevant services to the students and families they engage.

3. Have a real conversation around developing alternative education placement for students who have displayed uncontrollable behaviors and are in need of more concentrated educational opportunities. This is the only way to ensure that students and teachers are safe. The design should not resemble a prison pipeline model but instead should meet the needs of students and allow them to learn in respectable and dignified spaces. 

4. Empower parents through easily accessible wraparound services that provide free mental health care for families. This will ensure a 360-degree approach that allows students to have access to the same strategies and techniques at home and at school.