A video that has gone popular shows teacher Xaviera Steele fighting with a student
The event happened at Rocky Mount High School, and it has led to a heated discussion online about how teachers should act in similar cases.
The video, which has been watched more than 3.5 million times online, shows a fight between Xaviera Steele and the unnamed student between the end of the first period and the beginning of the second period.
Rocky mount high school teacher Xaviera Steele caught on video punching student
In the video, you can hear the student asking Xaviera Steele why the rules don’t apply to everyone. The teacher tells the student that they do. The student then tries to get Steele to give them back their phone, but Steele tells them not to touch her.
Allthings-Kutie on youtube #RockyMountNc #rockymounthigh #xavierasteelehttps://t.co/p54S8iEhrx pic.twitter.com/JJFoercgK6
— Allthings-Kutie (@AllthingsKutie) April 18, 2023
The two then get into a fight in which both of them swing at each other. Steele can be seen on top of the student at the end of the video.
Online users have had different thoughts about what happened. Many people have said that Xaviera Steele’s actions were wrong and that physical violence is never a good reaction, especially from a teacher. Others, though, have stood up for her, saying that the student was wrong and that Steele was just protecting herself.
I hope #XavieraSteele is doing well. pic.twitter.com/7K4vL4ttBb
— Mwiinga Shvartzah ๐ (@MwiingaX) April 18, 2023
NEW: Rocky Mount police say theyโre investigating an alleged assault involving a student and a substitute teacher at Rocky Mount High School.
The incident was caught on video.
Police say the substitute is Xaviera Steele, who has been with the district close to a year.@WRAL pic.twitter.com/y7tOEsgukg
— Keenan Willard (@KeenanWRAL) April 17, 2023
Expert advice on handling classroom altercations with students
Bettie Atcherson, a replacement teacher, told WRAL News how she would handle a similar situation like Xaviera Steele in the classroom. She said that it’s important for an adult to stay cool and not let the situation get worse. She also said that being kind and caring about the kids’ well-being can go a long way towards stopping these kinds of things.
Student and substitute teacher get into an altercation at RMSH โฆwho was wrong ? pic.twitter.com/eaVGqLypUF
— Hippie. ๐ค (@Ganjaa) April 17, 2023
Nash County Public Schools says that if a student is physically threatening or attacking a school employee, the employee has the right to protect himself or herself by holding the student back in a reasonable way. School employees may let kids use their cell phones for personal reasons if they have a good reason to do so.
The case at Rocky Mount High School with Xaviera Steele and the student shows how important it is for teachers to have clear rules and procedures for how to handle similar situations. It also stresses the value of good behaviour and the need to keep the classroom a safe and respectful place for all students to learn.