Natally Garcia: Texas substitute teacher fired for encouraging students to fight in classroom
MESQUITE, TEXAS: A Texas substitute teacher was fired after she encouraged middle school students of age 12 and 13 to a brawl which led to a classroom 'fight club.' Natally Garcia, 24, currently faces a criminal probe over the attack between students, according to an official with Mesquite Independent School District.
The disturbing incident took place in Mesquite at Kimbrough Middle School in Mesquite, on Wednesday, April 12. The fight inside the classroom was partially captured on a phone and the video showed the desks arranged into a circle and creating a "fight ring." While pairs of students fought, Garcia told the class that she did not want the fight to be filmed. "I do not want this on record," she said. In response to the incident, the school district said, "Our investigation revealed that this substitute teacher encouraged students to fight each other during class, outlined rules for the students to follow, and even instructed a student to monitor the classroom door while the fights took place," reported the Daily Mail.
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'Her actions are appalling and intolerable'
Confirming the Mesquite ISD had fired Garcia, the school district stated "As of yesterday, she is no longer employed by the district and is not eligible for rehire in any capacity," and revealed that the matter has been referred to police for an investigation. "Her actions are appalling and intolerable," they said.
Talking to the media outlet, a Mesquite Police Department spokesperson said that authorities are aware of the disturbing incident and added, "At this time no arrest has been made, but the case is still actively being investigated."
'I couldn't watch the full video'
Talking to NBC affiliate NBCDFW, Beatriz Martinez, whose daughter filmed the fight said, "I was devastated. I was like, I couldn't watch the full video. I had to stop it multiple times because I didn't think it was real. I was like, this must be a prank. This is not real." The outraged parent said that some students left the place bloodied and it remains unclear whether they suffer from any serious injuries.
"Who in their right mind? Because I trust my child to go to school, but I also trust the staff to keep my kids safe. And then this lady, she just is actually making them fight," she said. Martinez stated that her daughter feared being attacked as students called names of other students in the classroom to fight. However, Martinez's daughter was "saved by the bell" when the class ended.