'That young lady attacked me, and she went for blood': Teacher who fought back against HS student over confiscated phone defends her actions



The North Carolina substitute teacher who was caught on video last week physically fighting back against a high school student over a confiscated cell phone is speaking out and defending her actions.

“That young lady attacked me, and she went for blood," Xaviera Steele said on video following the viral incident.

Xaviera SteeleImage source: Atlanta Black Star video screenshot

What's the background?

Steele and a juvenile student were captured on video arguing over the phone in a Rocky Mount High School classroom last Monday morning. The student appears to attempt to grab the phone from Steele's hand; Steele then shoves the student away. The student swings at Steele with her right arm, after which Steele brings the student to the floor, throws a few punches, and pins the screaming student while hollering for someone to get another teacher into the room.

\u201c// Edited for viewer discretion //\n\nRocky Mount Police are investigating this fight involving a student and a substitute teacher at Rocky Mount High School this morning.\n\nPolice have ID\u2019d the sub, but no charges have been announced yet.\n\n@destineetv will share more on @WRAL at 6.\u201d
— Keenan Willard (@Keenan Willard) 1681760480

Both Steele and the student have been charged with simple assault, WTVD-TV said.

Teacher speaks out

Steele discussed the altercation in a lengthy video that's part of an Atlanta Black Star story about the incident.

“I’ve been working with the young people for 22 years," she said. "I started out in high school tutoring young folks. In elementary, I taught dance, cheerleading, drill team. I’ve taught Sunday school … praise and worship dance.” Steele also said she provided “office support in the school district” before becoming a "substitute teacher.”

She added, "In all my 22 years, never have I ever experienced what I experienced this Monday. I’ve never been attacked by young folks. I love young people; this is why I work with them. I have a heart for them. That young lady attacked me, and she went for blood.” Steele also said the student ripped off an “inch of my hairline.”

Steele also said a fake page had been created that had her saying, “F the kids and F the job.” She rebuffed that claim: “It was never F the kids because our kids are our future. But ... [the student in question] was in my space ... I followed protocol for whoever said that I touched her first. ... And I tried to call for an administrator or somebody at the office three times." She later said she "was backed in a corner" by the student.

Steele added that in the space of a month one teacher got "her head kicked in" and another teacher "had a gun pulled on her."

“As much as I love the kids, I cannot put my life or my livelihood in danger any more," Steele continued. "I will be saying goodbye to this profession. I went to school three times for real estate. Oh yes, I’m being faced with charges as well. ... If I get a charge on my record, there goes my career again. … I have four children. My children would never. You best believe I raised my kids right. They would never disrespect authority of any kind or an adult. They know to come to me.”

After thanking those who donated to a GoFundMe page her husband created — which has raised over $10,600 as of Monday morning — Steele also lamented that "so many people are leaving the [teaching] profession."

"Tell your kids to put their phones away," she also said, before pleading with parents to "please make sure your children are following directions, respecting authority ... otherwise there's a stick or ... a police officer's gun or somebody's gun ... waiting for them."

Steele added: “Please raise your children, spend time with them, love on them. Teach them right [from] wrong."

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Radio broadcaster indefinitely suspended for 'illegal aliens' comment



Radio broadcaster Gary Hahn has been indefinitely suspended after mentioning "illegal aliens" during a broadcast.

While covering Duke's Mayo Bowl on Friday, Hahn gave the score of the Sun Bowl, saying that "amongst all the illegal aliens" in El Paso, the game stood at UCLA with 14 and Pittsburgh with 6.

\u201cAUDIO: Here\u2019s the clip that got NC State play-by-play announcer Gary Hahn suspended indefinitely.\n\n\u201cAmongst all the illegal aliens in El Paso,\u201d he says before listing the score of the Sun Bowl.\n\n@WRAL\u201d
— Keenan Willard (@Keenan Willard) 1672437346

"Learfield has suspended Wolfpack Sports Network play-by-play announcer Gary Hahn from his agreement indefinitely following comments made during today’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl radio broadcast," Wolfpack Sports Properties general manager Kyle Winchester noted in a statement relayed by NC State, according to newsobserver.com

El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser declared a state of emergency earlier this month as the area grappled with an influx of migrants, according to CNN.

"The City and OEM continue sending roving teams to the various areas where migrants are congregating to provide transportation services and/or temporary shelter. The City has initiated the use of three (3) hotels to use as emergency shelter hotels to ensure individuals and families are able to get off the streets and out of the freezing temperatures," a December 20 government press release noted. "The City and OEM are also preparing the use of the El Paso Convention Center to expand shelter services later this week."

Sun Bowl Association executive director Bernie Olivas announced that the Fan Fiesta was cancelled, mentioning the use of the convention center for migrants — the festivities had been slated to occur at the El Paso Convention Center.

"As the Tony the Tiger Fan Fiesta presented by El Paso LIVE was cancelled due to the humanitarian efforts that are currently being held in the El Paso Convention Center, the Sun Bowl Association is now hosting the Battle of the Bands and other events from the Fan Fiesta at Freedom Crossing beginning at 4 p.m. (MT) on Thursday, Dec. 29," the Sun Bowl Association noted.