Teacher, paraprofessional from classroom fight video fired

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A teacher and a paraprofessional who were caught on camera fighting in front of students at Stone Mountain Middle School have been fired.

“I mean that’s not a good example in front of kids. That was just bad. It was just bad,” parent Valerie Stewart said.

Video shows at least two students trying to break up the fight, but it didn’t work. Another staff member had to intervene to stop the two adults from punching each other.

“We send our kids to school to learn, for an education, not to sit there and witness a fight between two adults,” Stewart said.

School officials are investigating why the fight broke out.

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“I really couldn’t believe it. Like I thought it was kids fighting and then found out it was teachers. It was just bad,” student Madison Hall said.

The school sent a letter home to parents on Monday telling them that two staff members were “engaged in a physical altercation that caused a major disturbance in a classroom.” The letter assured parents that they both will face appropriate discipline.

School officials declined an on-camera interview while the investigation is open, but sent a statement that said: “The interaction and conduct in the video is completely unacceptable and contrary to our district’s tenets and core principles. Those staff members that participated in the conduct have been removed from the learning environment.”

School officials said both staff members have been arrested and charged with disorderly conduct in a public place.

Cox Media Group