I have never been punched or slapped, but I know teachers who have taken blows for the team. I know kids who landed those blows and were back in same hallways a few months later, much to the dismay of nervous teachers. If the alternative school refuses to take you, or throws you out, where does a middle-school student go? Sometimes, back to the neighborhood school! Most of those kids blew up under stress, but one or two just decided to punch a teacher.

I remember a colleague who was suspended for weeks after he broke up a fight, A student’s parent complained he had pulled the combatants apart too roughly. Being small in stature, I have always stayed away from physical fights, but after that suspension, my larger colleagues joined me. Teachers are not obliged to break up fights, only to call for help immediately.* Security in my building did not always come quickly, especially if they were working the other end of the building.  In fact, a few times in my experience security did not come at all.

Eduhonesty: Consider this post a tip for new teachers. Stay out of the fight. My colleague’s career never recovered in our district and he ended up quitting and relocating. I imagine he is warmer and happier, but still… You may not wish to take advantage of all those exciting teaching opportunities in Arizona, Nevada and South Carolina,

*Teacher/fight legalities resemble those of snow shoveling. Generally, you cannot be sued for not shoveling. You can be sued for shoveling badly, however. If you leave ice, you can be taken to court for injuries resulting from a slip on that ice. In the same vein, you will not get in trouble for not wading into a fight, but if you do get involved and someone is hurt, you have opened yourself up to possible school and legal entanglements.