Jennifer Wells-Jackson: New Haven teacher arrested for pulling 12-year-old girl's hair
NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT: A teacher has been arrested for allegedly pulling a student's hair during an altercation at a New Haven magnet school last week. The assault against the 12-year-old student occurred at the King/Robinson Inter-district Magnet School in New Haven. Veteran school teacher Jennifer Wells-Jackson, 49, was charged with risk of injury to a minor and second-degree breach of peace.
A video being circulated on social media shows the teacher grabbing and pulling her student Destinique James’ hair as other students shout around her. She eventually lets go of the child. The student, who was reportedly not seriously injured, declined medical attention.
READ MORE
Salem High teacher pushes teen, 14, in classroom confrontation, charged with battery
William Bennett: Marion C Moore High teacher FIRED after violent fight with Black student
#CAUGHTONCAMERA - @wtnh obtained video showing a teacher at King Robinson Magnet School grabbing a 12-year-old student's hair
— Lauren Linder (@lauren_linder) February 3, 2022
The student's mom tells me "there's no justification for putting your hands on someone's child"#NewHaven pic.twitter.com/mCF1Ws5fQc
The student’s mother, Destine James, told WTNH that she is disgusted at what happened. “There’s certain things you say and there’s certain things you don’t say; there’s certain things you do and certain things you’re not supposed to do especially when dealing with people’s children,” Destinie said. “At the end of the day, there’s no justification for putting your hands on someone’s child.”
Justin Harmon, the director of marketing and communications for New Haven Public Schools, said that the district takes the safety of students very seriously, and that they are cooperating with the New Haven Police Department’s investigation. Wells-Jackson, who was released on a $20,000 bond, is scheduled to appear in court very soon.
A source who is close to the district told the publication that Wells-Jackson “is a great person, a veteran educator and a community activist” who served on the executive board of the city’s Federation of Teachers for several years. She continues to remain involved as a representative for the literacy community.
Late in January, a Rockdale County teacher was charged with battery after he allegedly pushed a student to the ground during an argument. Rockdale County investigators said that the dispute happened after the unnamed teenage student cursed at the teacher, Marquette Thinn, and tried to leave his class. The incident occurred on Monday, January 24, at Salem High School in Conyers, Georgia.
In another disturbing incident in January itself, a Long Island biology teacher was arrested and charged for jabbing a 17-year-old with a Covid-19 vaccine on New Year's Eve. A video of Laura Parker Russo jabbing the unidentified teen was made public, and the Nassau County Police Department confirmed that the teen's parents had not consented to him being vaccinated. Video of the incident was made public first by WNBC journalist Pei-Sze Cheng, who tweeted it on January 3. In it, the teen can be heard saying, "there you go, at-home vaccine," as he is jabbed by Russo. Reportedly, he was administered a Johnson & Johnson vaccine, but it is unclear how and where Russo obtained the vaccine dose.