Am I wrong for telling the principal this student is above my pay grade?

Question

I am pregnant and last week one of my 8th graders beat tf out of me. They were trying to hit me in the stomach because they knew I was pregnant just because I wouldn't let them redo an  essay. This was the 4th time I've got them cheating and or plagiarizing so I said no. You're not rewriting it. It's a 0. This kid said they hoped my baby died and started hitting me and tried to hit me in the stomach. Two boys in my class pulled them off of me. They got a 3 day suspension and I demanded they be removed from my class. The parents want them in my class because they claim their kid really likes me as a teacher. Well they have a funny way of showing that. The parents don't want them removed. So my admin is saying sometimes all these students just need is a teacher that cares. I told him that's above what he pays me. I care about my students but I'm not putting someone else's kid above my own. This child beat the crap out of me. The principal said maybe they need help. Ok? I'm not a therapist. I'm not a psychologist. Why are teachers expected to be teachers, parents, coaches, therapist, etc for our lousy pay. I stuck to my guns and said I want that child removed from my class. IDC if that hurts their feelings. IDC if that hurts the parents feelings. It hurts my feelings to have a student beating on me and trying to make me lose my baby. I am trying to make it to the end of the year because I'm quitting then. I shouldn't have to go to work scared some 8th grader taller than me is gonna cause me to lose my baby. If something else like this happens I'm done and quitting right here. I don't care if they try to take my teaching certificate for leaving mid year I won't lose my baby  over this. I just feel so helpless 😞😞😞
Edit: I'm going to be honest I'm at the point where I don't care about what's professional and what's appropriate. It's not professional or appropriate to tell someone they have to put a kid who beat tf out of them before their baby. I didn't care at that point anymore. It is above my pay grade to deal with that nonsense. They can go get help by someone else. Maybe I'm burnt out but I'm over what's professional and appropriate because these rules don't seem to apply to admin or parents and their kids. Maybe it's no appropriate to beat up your pregnant teacher and try to kill her baby but here we are

Accepted Answer

I would go to the police and school board and I’d ask to be put on paid leave while they handle that for the safety of your child. Don’t let the school system screw you over. I use to be a teacher and I know how awful they can be

Answer

You’re principle and superintendent should not even consider letting this kid back in your class. And 3 days is unacceptable for beating a teacher up, to me, this is grounds for expulsion. If it were my kid that did this, I would say the exact same thing. Unacceptable. If he needs help he needs to be in a mental health hospital that will help him. Your his teacher not his psychiatrist

Answer

Yea that’s not your responsibility. Don’t let the principal try to guilt trip you. I’m a behavioral therapist for kids with disabilities and I deal with those kinds of behaviors because it’s my actual job. But I still have boundaries and my boss tries to guilt trip me all the time. You gotta protect your baby.

Answer

I am a teacher and was in a similar position as you. When I was pregnant I had a 504 student who when she'd get mad/upset/frustrated she would narrow in on my stomach after my bump became noticeable. She threw a text book like a frisbee at my stomach at about 6 months pregnant because I asked her to please put her shoes and socks back on as she took them off to paint her toenails in class. I talked to admin and they said we could have a little conference with the mom, me, principal and behavioral specialist. They talked, ignored any of the issue of my safety. They came up with a "plan" and just added her a full time aide to be in my class during while shes in there. Week later she shoved me in the back while i walked by her to help a student at their desk. I went to the superintendent and the chair of the school board the head of my local union to get her out of my class and even had a consult with our lawyer to see what would be a legal step if things happened again. Was told by the superintendent it is part of teaching "kids in need" and they already gave me an aide. The union rep told me to document it but the specifics of the situation nothing could happen currently. The lawyer told me to document it and gave me the honest opinion of unless I am seriously injured I will be fighting an avalanche and as it was January zero chance a lawsuit would do anything by may when school was out and as long as the teen was enrolled nobody but the admin could move her before there is a restraining order or legal reason. 2 weeks later she got a test back (from the aide as I no longer was alloeed to hand her graded papers) and she called me words my faith doesnt approve of and threw her desk at me. I went to the ER and to be safe was put on 2 days bed rest as the desk did hit my belly. Went back and told them move her or I am gone. I was told they are sorry but their hands are tied but "they were thinking of the best way to address it" and asked if I could just push through until then. I figured that was going to be the answer so I had already packed my desk and it was in my car. I handed them my written resignation and my name badge/id and left. I was sad as I loved the other kids I taught but my health and my baby was more important. Plus in the end why would I ever stay at s place where I am thought so little of they don't care if I am literally in danger trying to teach civics. I now have a perfect daughter and do private tutoring by appt and work with home school pods and have never been happier. I'll probably go back to a classroom in the future but for now this is what I need and those admins hopefully have the life they deserve.

Answer

I mean I would just flat out tell them. "That child is not allowed in my classroom again and if you keep him in my class I quit" and show them your prepared resignation letter. Worst happens you quit but I'd show them how serious I am.

Answer

Id tell the principal unless they want a lawsuit for WHEN this student causes you to lose your baby, then they need to pay for a security guard, or officer to be in your classroom when this student is present, or remove the student from your class. Teachers are so often neglected and I dont see any reason you should feel unsafe in your classroom besides the blatantly obvious rising number of school shootings and attacks. You easily could put a restraining order on the child if the principal isnt willing to work with you which would make it a lot harder for the school to even have this kid there. You deserve respect and kindness. I get some kids may be going through issues or have problems outside of school, but that should never turn into you being physically assaulted, threatened and told to just help that student.

Answer

I’d press charges 🤷🏼‍♀️ he had intent and stated it and then he assaulted you. And he’s old enough to know better. His parents are pathetic excuses as well. I don’t blame you at all!!!! That’s ridiculous

Answer

I actually just read about another pregnant teacher who did miscarry after her student attacked her. Please don’t wait until next time that could be too late put yourself and your baby first. You can start your own tutoring business honestly parents pay good money for that one on one time and you’ll make more and be safer! Pick your own hours. ♥️

Answer

Why isn’t he in jail?! Assault and death threats are real. Go to police and school board. That’s an insane situation - your admin should be protecting you and there should be zero tolerance for violence. He should be expelled until he finds another school.

Answer

As a wife to a teacher. No teacher is paid enough in the public school system for what y’all go through!

Am I wrong for telling the principal this student is above my pay grade?

Let’s Glow

Glow is here for you on your path to pregnancy

25+ million

4.8 stars

20+

Getting Pregnant

Pregnancy

1st Year (Baby & You)

Baby Products