I am a special education teacher in Virginia.
REcently a student, 14 years old and african american, grabbed my arm to get back something from hands. She did not injury me, I was not afraid. In general she was rambunctious and pleading to give back her papers. She was not angry or violent.
She has an IEP for Adhd. She has a history of horseplay at this point only with students that we are working to improve with a behavior plan.
I reported to administration what she did since clearly she can not touch staff. However, the prinicpal reported this as an assault and is sending girl to hearing officer.
I do not in any way perceive this event as an assault. Can the prinicipal have this girl charged with assault? Does the minor have any rights in this situation? She has given her 10 day out of school suspension for this incident.
I am shocked and confused as her case manager that this happened like this. This is a new prinicipal. The prinicipal asked if I was scared and I said No. Buit other than that she only took my brief statement of this incident that did not describe anything agregious.
Thanks
a concerned teacher.

