Teachers Charged with Assaulting Students in Alabama, South Carolina, Virginia

Multiple incidents across the U.S. have raised concerns about student and teacher safety in schools. In Alabama, a middle school teacher was charged with sexual abuse of a student over several years, leading to her arrest and administrative leave. In South Carolina, a music teacher faces assault charges after surveillance video captured her dragging a 5-year-old student by his feet and arm, prompting district statements about ongoing investigations and the need for classroom safety. In Virginia, a now-retired elementary school teacher was charged with simple assault for allegedly attacking both a student and a colleague, reflecting a rise in criminal charges against school staff in the area. Meanwhile, in Texas, a family is protesting the jailing of their mentally disabled son, who was charged as an adult for allegedly assaulting a teacher, arguing that the response was disproportionately harsh given his mental capacity. These cases highlight a spectrum of safety and disciplinary issues affecting both students and educators, as well as ongoing debates about appropriate responses to misconduct and vulnerability in school environments.