FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. — Shocked yet not surprised, that's how former educators are reacting to a video circulating on social media out of Parkland High School. The video shows a student slapping a teacher twice in the face during class.
"I did see it coming. That's the way things have been progressing for quite some time now," said former Parkland High teacher Kisha Wall-Freeman.
The video reminded former Triad elementary school teacher, Kayleigh Connell of the time she was hurt by a student.
"I ended up in Urgent Care with a concussion because a student got upset and lashed out," recalled Connell.
Connell spent 11 years working in public elementary schools before pursuing another career.
"At the worst point for me. I would say 80% of my day, on average, was spent trying to manage behaviors," said Connell.
But it wasn't always that way for teachers. Wall-Freeman started working at Parkland High back in 2012.
"I didn't fear the students. I didn't ever feel threatened by them in any way, and I really enjoyed my time teaching there," recalled Wall-Freeman.
Wall-Freeman taught for seven years. Through that time, she saw changes with how administration disciplined students who acted out. For her that was an indicator that behavioral problems were not being handled correctly.
"They hear the cussing and the bad language from their parents as well. I have seen that get progressively worse, even just going through the stores or in the malls. I hear it, I see it, and it wasn't like that not even 10 years ago it wasn't like that," said Wall-Freeman.
Connell said the behavioral problem really got out of hand when students returned to the classroom after COVID-19.
"We noticed a lot of like, kids didn't necessarily have the tools to problem solve when there was an issue between their friends or when they disagreed with a teacher," Connell explained.
Connell with this message for parents:
"Your child’s teacher is not the enemy. They love your kids as much as you do. We see your kids all day long. When we call and they want to discuss behaviors with you or let you know there’s an issue, it is not them trying to tell you it's a reflection on your parenting, it is not them trying to belittle your child, trying to get them in trouble, or not trying to support them. They’re doing it because they care."