Update: Rocky Mount Substitute Teacher And Student Charged
A substitute teacher and a student who ended up in a physical altercation over a cell phone in a Rocky Mount High School classroom have been charged.
Following an investigation by police, the teacher, Xaviera Steele, and the student, who is a juvenile, were charged with simple assault.
Steele received a written promise to appear in court and was released.
Original Story (April 19, 2023)
Rocky Mount police are investigating a fight between a student and a substitute teacher at Rocky Mount High School on Monday.
The altercation between the juvenile student and the substitute teacher began after the student’s phone was confiscated.
In the viral clip, the student is in the teacher’s face yelling, “That’s my s**t! Why does the rules not apply to everyone else? That’s my phone!”
The substitute teacher, identified by police as Xaviera Steele, responds, “You should not have that in class…It does apply to everyone.”
Xaviera has the cell phone in one hand and a telephone receiver in the other, presumably trying to call for help, when the student approaches and attempts to snatch her phone back.
The substitute teacher pushed the student back repeatedly warning her, “Don’t touch me. Don’t touch me. Girl, don’t touch me.”
That’s when the student threw a punch at Xaviera Steele.
Clearly, Xaviera is a member of the Try Jesus Not Me Church of Batter Day Saints because she went toe-to-toe and blow for blow with the student.
It didn’t take long before the student realized she made a poor choice by putting her hands on Ms. Steele.
An unedited version of the altercation has gone viral on social media.
Xaviera Steele has been a substitute teacher with Nash County Public Schools for approximately a year.
No injuries were reported following the altercation and the police and school system are investigating the incident.
No charges have been filed against Ms. Steele as of Monday (April 17).
Nash County Public Schools policy states that “if an employee is attacked by a student, the employee has the right to reasonably restrain the student and defend themselves to the point that they are free of the threat or attack.”
Another substitute teacher, Bettie Atcherson, criticized Xaviera’s response to the aggressive student.
As the adult, you have to contain yourself and not let them take you that far.
If you’re kind to kids, even the toughest kids, if you’re kind to them and show that you love them are concerned about their well-being … 9 times of 10, you won’t have a lot of problems.
But there are always exceptions.
Maybe Ms. Atcherson should speak with the teacher in Rockdale County, Georgia, who is undergoing rehabilitation after a student attacked her and broke her leg.
Do you think Xaviera Steele handled this situation the right way?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below or join the convo on our socials. (Facebook, Instagram)
Source: WRAL
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