Houston Teacher Fired for Beating Student in Class

[Billy Carson]

Houston Teacher Fired for Beating Student in Class

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNvsJ9mrziY" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNvsJ9mrziY</a>

 RevolutionNews.US ~ HOUSTON — A charter school fired a science teacher after a student shot cell phone video of her beating a 13-year-old classmate.

Sheri Lynn Davis, 40, was fired from her job at the Jamie's House Charter School on Monday night.

Principal David Jones said he reviewed the video and determined there was "no excuse for a teacher to behave in this way with a child."

KRIV-TV in Houston reported that the video was shot in late April.

The student who was beaten, Isaiah Johnson, received a black eye and other bruises in the attack, said his mother, Alesha Johnson.

School spokeswoman Sue Davis, who is not related to the teacher, said Tuesday that Sheri Lynn Davis was put on administrative leave May 5, after the boy's mother notified the school about the incident.

There was no online telephone listing for a Sheri Lynn Davis in Houston. Someone named Sheri Davis had a telephone number but it was unpublished.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident, Deputy Janie Wagner said. She declined to elaborate.

Isaiah Johnson is still enrolled in the school and was attending classes Tuesday, Sue Davis said.
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"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."

— Thomas Jefferson

[Billy Carson]

Houston, Texas charter school teacher Sheri Lynn Davis apologized Friday for beating a 13-year-old student last month.

The incident was caught on video by a student with a cell phone camera and immediately went viral after it made it to YouTube and other hosting sites this week.

Davis was fired Monday from Jamie's House Charter School after officials viewed the video.

The 40-year-old science teacher said she is "very regretful" and is "without excuse" for her role in the altercation.

Witnesses said Davis "snapped" after the boy made fun of another student. The camera rolled as Davis allegedly cornered, grabbed, kicked and punched him.

The boy's mother, Alesha Johnson, filed a civil lawsuit against the school and Davis Thursday.

“By you putting your hands on my child, that’s not punishment. I don’t even beat on my son, so what makes you think you can?” Johnson said at a news conference.

Chip Lewis, Davis' attorney, said there is more to the story than what was captured in the video, however, would not offer details.

Davis also faces criminal mischief charges for allegedly slashing a woman's tires last year.

Johnson said her son suffered a black eye and nursed knots on his head for a week after the alleged attack.

School officials and police interviewed several students who said there were four or five other adults in the classroom when Davis allegedly grabbed, threw, punched and kicked the boy. Some students claimed at least one teacher threatened them if the video ever went public.

Davis, who was not a certified teacher, was placed on administrative leave immediately following the incident.

In Texas, only special education and bi-lingual teachers must be certified to teach in charter schools.

It was later learned Davis was wanted on criminal mischief warrant when the video found its way to YouTube and other hosting sites.

It is unclear whether Davis will face charges for allegedly beating the boy. Harris County officials said Thursday Davis will be prosecuted on the outstanding warrant while state's attorneys review the video and incident report.

Damages sought in the lawsuit are not known.