Sherri Davis Takes Her PR Offensive To Good Morning America

By Richard Connelly Wed., May 19 2010 at 12:34 PM

Categories: Education

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Sherri Davis, the teacher caught on tape whomping on a charter-school student, is launching a PR offensive.

This morning she was on Good Morning America, where she told host George Stephanopoulos what she briefly told reporters: while she takes responsibility for losing her control, blame the damn school for the atmosphere that fueled the incident.

Davis went into more details about the event than she did at her press conference here last week.

"The day starts off with utter chaos -- there's a fight that I am having to deal with, just minutes before the video with a 16-year-old boy...These kids are just, basically, laying around on the floor, just being hostile. And this young lady was in the middle of the floor. The door was locked shut and the kids were there, kind of mimicking her. This particular young man, Isaiah, was bouncing around in a threatening, bullying position," Davis said. "I have adrenaline that is already building up with the fight that just happened minutes before."

She also notes the "young lady" was white, while most of the kids surrounding her are black.

She says the kid she beat had assaulted kids and teachers; his mother denied that to a KTRK reporter after the interview.

When the tape is shown, Davis talks about how teachers need to be protected, and Stephanopoulos rightly notes that at the moment, the kid needed to be protected from her.

"Someone should have stepped in," Davis says.

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Hello, This is a pity party, if no one had captured this on video she would have gotten away it. I'm sure this was not the first time or the last
I just read a comment made by THRUSS and I thought that I was the only person who caught that comment about protecting the one white student from the black ones. I wonder if it was another black kid would that have made her less defensive and if so what a pathetic excuse for a teacher and a even worse excuse for an African American. I work with youth as well and it can be trying but she knew what she signed up for! there are dozens of schools in this country looking for good teachers if she couldnt stand the heat go to another kitchen!
All of those who don't understand could not have handled that position any better. You have no idea. How dare you judge this woman? Bless her heart for even caring enough to take on a position like that.
It's like this......If you do not take care of business in your OWN home with your children, by diciplining them when it is needed, then EXPECT Society to do it for you. Unfortunatly in this case a woman who is a good mother and teacher might have to pay the price for the PARENTS not doing their job at home!!!! Children are NOT being taught to RESPECT people anymore. My sister works at a High School and said you would not believe the amount of disrespect you see in the class rooms and in the hallways today out of our kids. Wake Up parents, and stop letting your kids call the shots!!!
I work at a middle school, and these kids are OUT of control. Maybe we need to let the parents teach their own kids for 7-8 hours a day. Let's see how well they handle discipline problems.
It is not okay to discipline someone's child this way...unless of course the child was attacking you. I am a teacher in a large school district in the same metropolitan area and a student physically threatened me on campus last year and my principal and the district's police officers on duty did nothing about it. I am very thankful that I was able to leave the school at the end of that year and am now employed elsewhere. The pressure on teachers in public schools is unimaginable. The classes are large and filled with low-performing students who over-compensate for the lack of academic skills by acting out. More often than not the parents of these same students are just happy not to have to deal with them for 7-8 hours or more each day. There is little to no support from home, and administrators have their hands tied by clueless bureaucrats, most of whom wouldn't last a half-day in one our classrooms. I feel very sorry for Ms. Davis because I know what she's up against at a school like that. Yes, she could work somewhere else, but if you feel a tug in your heart to help the students at this type of school, then leaving is hard when you truly believe that you can make a difference. I wish that she had not been crucified so fast. She was wrong, but there is so much more to consider.
Sign me up for her defense fund. I would like to give her a medal. These are punks, and if they had gotten spanked at home maybe Sherry wouldn't have had to do his Mothers job for her. The kid is a punk and the Mother is TRASH.
sHE IS MY hERO WHERE DO i SEND HER MONEY?
Hopefully this street thug isn't a representative of the "teachers" in our charter schools.
I was with her when she explained what kind of day she was having. She flipped-out and I can understand the frustration. But I quickly jumped off of her bandwagon when she stated that "African American" kids were surrounding and taunting the girl. Of course the interviewer would have to ask if the girl was white. So to save her ass, she develops an image that she thinks will deliver more sympathy for her and maybe some leniency from some of the racist that are in the position of deciding her fate. And in the process, she helps perpetuate the racist rhetoric and further widens the gap between races. It just proves some of us will do anything - even betraying their own people - in order to excuse themselves from their own behavior.
There is so much more to the story, and I am sure that it did not all come out. I bet that if one was to look at that boy's file, one would see many incidences of bullying, disrespect, and aggression. I think the teacher just had enough. If you have ever broken up a fight, then you know about the adrenaline rush she was talking about. And then to come into chaos, I would have thought, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!" I can totally understand her reaction. I am not saying that it was right, but I can understand it, because I have been in similar situations myself. Thankfully, I was able to contain my emotions. What was the source of the problem? It was the lack of parenting for this boy, not teaching him to respect authority or other people, a lack of administrative action/policies. The school environment was tragic!! Being someone who has taught in a similar environment, it is very frustrating when classroom needs are not being met on a consistent basis, violence in the school is pervasive, and there are no consequences for those who act in such a way. Enough is enough. If you were put into that environment, I wonder what your reactions would be. When administrators do not act; when they do not provide consequences for any type of bullying behavior, the bad behavior of children becomes the rule of the day. Teachers are abused both verbally and physically. And the other children who are there to learn are suffering. No desks? No pencil sharpeners? On a day when the test is given?? REally?? It is too bad that this teacher did not leave this environment, but I am sure that she was hoping that someone would finally step up to the plate and DO SOMETHING about that school. Even when loads of teachers march into the superintendent's office, and there are countless complaints as to the horrible conditions of the school, nothing is done. I can think of many children who should be apoligizing for their behavior and how they have turned schools into a jungle.
I take my hat off to Ms Davis and applaud her for taking a stand and stopping this bully in her classroom. If she lost her job at least it was for a good reason. I have been on jr. and sr. high school campuses and observed what goes on in some of these classrooms, parents should be ashamed of themselves for the way they are raising their children and perhaps "they" should be arrested for the way their children act out at school. I have literally seen a jr. high school teacher crumble at the hands of her students because she could not control her classroom. It is unfortunate that this situation got out of control and worse yet that it was caught on video but this child probably needed a dose of his own medicine a long time ago and apparently his parents failed him somewhere down the line in getting his behavior under control. I have a seven year old grand-daughter I am raising and her teacher began notifying me weeks back that her behavior was getting to be a challenge in the classroom. I didn't ignore the teachers warnings signs or the problem but began a daily progress report from her teacher to monitor the behavior. Not only that, I started showing up in the classroom to observe her behavior without her knowledge and "I" the parent informed her that this behavior is not going to be tolerated. At home she loses certain privilges and there are times she has to write standards as well as stand in the corner as consequences to her negative behavior. I am an old school parent who firmly believes if I don't get this under control now they have places for children and adults who fail to obey rules and laws. I feel sorry for every teacher that graces our public classrooms across America because they enter a war zone everytime they step into their classrooms. Many years ago I taught a two year old preschool class and one particular child literally and intentionally spit in my face when I stopped him from hitting another child. I made a decision at that time (some 15 years ago) that was not the job for me. Parents need to be held accountable for their children's actions and it is usually the parents that cry the loudest that have the most disruptive and out of control children. I found this video quite interesting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anLS-sekbQQ Thumbs up to Ms Davis!!!
No wonder Sherri received the teacher's award two years straight. That boy deserved every bit of the fear he felt for the fear he placed on the little new girl, other students and teachers. I have no doubt Sherri told the truth about this bully. Sherri had the composure of a professional woman who just flat out had enough with the lack of protection from the school for other students. Sherri needs her exact job back and to be given another award. She did what other students wanted her to do, which is why they cheered her on. Most people out there don't understand bully communication, especially pacifists or the privileged. All Sherri did was give it right back to that young man so that he knows early on that not everyone is going to let you push them around.
This is a no win situation for everyone all over the US. This an embarrassment to how the world looks at us a people. Don't get me wrong every country has bad students. There many places where the student knows that the teacher or principle can put a couple of smacks to the behind or palm of the hand. When the parents get the notice of their child causing problems and embarrassing their family name, they got a whipping not talking all nice and gentle saying "don't do it again" and they turn around and do it anyway. In every known religion it speaks about disciplining your child with whippings from an early age so they don't act like fools when they are away from home as an child or adult. I remember when teachers use to give spankings in the school from elementary to high school. US laws has made it terrible for parents, teachers and common people to interfere with raising children correctly. People are scared of police, CPS coming to their doors for doing what has been written for more than 1,400 years. There is a limit to how far you can go with disciplinarian actions. Children aren't scarred for life at all from whippings. It helps them realize life has consequences and if they don't fix with them selves they could have bad out comes from their actions. It makes them think twice before doing something wrong. The boy did not think he felt it was funny and he can have his way. He has no fear in the heart and no respect over all. No Sheila Davis did not have the right to strike at Isaiah but she did have the right to scare him to know that she does not tolerate evil behavior. She scared him really good in the first 13 seconds of walking in and sliding that desk and kicking those books out of the way and hoovering over him. At that point she should have grabbed him and walked him to the office. I understand your frustration Sheila Davis it is said. Blame parent and some of the US laws that give bad children more rights.
I am a teacher and I have worked in a facility for students who are seriously emotionally and behaviorally disturbed some with criminal records and some who are just waiting to get caught. Teaching is not easy and it takes a special kind to work with this population of special needs students. The proper training must be given to the teachers, there must be a strong but fair discipline plan in place, and the teachers must be there for more than just a check. Above all else techers should be have a background screening and should be ceritified not matter what population of student they teach. I don't understand how Texas does not have better guidelines for screening their teachers for charter schools. Had they done a background check on this woman they would have found that she had a warrant out for her arrest and hopefully they woluldn't have hired her and this situation could have been avoided with her. I think the bottom line is that the system needs to be overhauled in order to protect both the students and the teachers.
It is so easy for non-teachers to judge what goes on in the classroom. But once you're in there it's a whole different ball game. Please don't act like you know how to act as a teacher in a room full of kids who are out of control. While I do not agree with the actions of the teacher, if my child was being physically taunted by several children and there was one child in particular that was ready to pounce, I would expect that teacher to step in. And if the school has no discipline system, what do you do? The teacher was not in SELF-DEFENSE as stated in the interview, she was defending a child who couldn't defend themself. Again, while her choice was not the best, it is what she did to protect another child. Please - don't judge until you have been in the same situation. BTW, Ms. Davis, if my child ever acts in that way - you have full permission to give them a good smack. I would be embarrassed as a parent if my child was treating any person in that manner!
I work in a school system and teachers have it BAD! I can understand the frustration of this teacher when it comes to BAD kids in the classroom. Yes she lost it but I can understand the pressure and disgust that Shari has. The school systems in this country suck!!! Where can teachers turn to for help when they have to deal with the everyday issues that they face when they try to teach these kids? Where are the parents and what are they doing to help their child to be a better person? There should be a law against stupid people having BRATS that terrorize other teachers and students. This mother clearly just wants to get PAID and by the way, where is the sperm donor? Shari keep your head up. I'm sure you did what a lot of teachers wanted to or felt like doing. I understand your frustration.
I heard victim this morning during her interview--it's the mother's fault, "someone" should have stopped her, etc. etc. While the environment, parenting and students at the school may create chaos, just like any other kind of abuse, it is never ok to lose it and beat up on a kid.
Correction - Sherri Davis. And who did you think was gonna "step in" front of a Raging Bull, another child?
Sorry Sheila Davis, your next job should be wrestling. In no way was that disciplining an unruly child. You definitely proved you do not have the capacity to teach let alone be around children. No matter how hard your day or prior moment went. You need anger management. Next it will be the elderly taking too long to move their car. And playing the color card is not going to buy you a lenient jury. Shame. Now the last thing this boy and his off kilter mother needs is a windfall judgment -they'll crash and burn in less than a year. Serious court ordered counseling should be arranged for all 3 of you.
Since when did it become okay for an adult to beat up a kid no matter what the circumstances? After I made sure she was fired I would file assault charges. Whether or not parents don't do a good job with their kids or have neck tattoo's it still doesn't make it right that this teacher would go after this student. And to the lady who said "I agree, I done the teacher job" pity you didn't learn to speak properly. Hopefully you are no longer teaching.
to the persons defending this teacher, come on now! She wasn't defending herself. The kid's on the floor covering himself, how is that self-defense?? She was hovering over him like a gangbanger beating the crap out of someone. She needs to look for a new line of work if she cannot control herself.
Comment from: Gime me a break...is unrealistic. Walk away and quit your job. The school systems is broken. The student is just as guilty as the teacher. Why are there no consequences for the student. Oh i see protect the hostile child. Lets give him an opportunity to create hell in class and disrupt others learning opportunity. The child has rights....what about his classmates?
Regardless of the failures of the parents and school, a grown woman should have more self-control than this. The comment by "Concerned" is just disturbing. Did it really look to you like that teacher was defending herself? The kid ran into a corner, she slammed a desk to the side (which could have hit someone else) and then pounced on him. The system she's looking for is called sending a kid to the office. It's a charter school... it has a principal. The funniest has to be the lawyer though, "She was sending a message that 'Hey, we need to act appropriate and get a hold of ourselves.'" She sent that message by flipping out? I'm a teacher in a rough area, and what I can tell you is that a teacher teaches best by demonstrating appropriate behavior because kids repeat what they see. Sure the parents should be doing more but that doesn't give that teacher the right to hit a student, hard or soft. If you're that frustrated, you walk out the door and quit your job.
Things are like this today because parents are unable and unwilling to give a good spanking to their kids when they deserve it. All that psychological damage crap that you hear on the media has contributed to believe that if you spank a kid he will grow up to be a loser or will be scarred for life. My dad slapped me when I was a kid (when I deserved it) and I am truly grateful for it. I wouldn't even dare to misbehave in his presence, or even stand up to him. Kids nowadays have respect for NOTHING. The very same teachers teach them to call 911 if their parents "raise their voices too much to you, or OMG if they slap you for anything".
Sherri Davis is a GREAT teacher. The parents are the failures. Wonder how many years it's going to be before this kid ends up in jail.
Sherri Davis a a fucking idiot - and yet she said she loves kids. What a loser! Our school system doesnt need a teacher like her - she should be 'stoned to death' for assaulting a helpless child.
I am sure the student was a spoiled brat that deserved this. Students can treat a teacher any way they wish. But if a teacher defends themselves.. its a big news story. All i saw her do was slap the kid a few times. I wouldn't call that a beating.
I agree, I done the teacher job. Some parents just think that schools are a daycare center, and only step in when they are called to solve major issues.
based on what I saw of the "beaten" kid's mother on her various interviews, she is a pathetic excuse for a parent. Nice neck tats, you fool. And that mullet that you have installed on your hair is a real class statement. Too bad you did not pay attention in school - a decent command of the english language would help your case. If the kid is anything like his mother, it is no wonder he is on his way into developing into a future resident in the state pen.
This is horrible. If she knew that this was a tough school and some of the children already had criminal records, she knew what she knew what she signed up for. As a teacher she should know the boundaries. I don't understand what the student being white and the others being black have to do with anything. Was she angry at the fact that it was a white child being picked on? would she have been just as eager to defend a black child that was being picked on by another black child, I really didn't understand why she made that comment. Maybe she feels that if she states that she was protecting a white child people will be more understanding and lenient. She is a pathetic excuse for a teacher and an african american for making that statement.