Teachers across Bexar County say getting hurt by students is part of the job. Data reviewed by KSAT Investigates shows it’s happening in nearly every school district, even as many incidents go unreported.
Affidavit: SAPD arrests suspect in connection with crash that killed man, his 12-year-old nephewSan Antonio airport curb closures begin Monday, expected to last until 2028How to help TSA workers without crossing federal ethics lines‘The PTSD will never go away’: Teachers discuss classroom violence, answer viewer questions Read full article: ‘The PTSD will never go away’: Teachers discuss classroom violence, answer viewer questionsNorthside ISD says changes made after Mr.
Fred’s death, but superintendent says state limits effortsFrom Colorado to Texas: How strategy, legislation and training aim to tackle classroom violence Read full article: From Colorado to Texas: How strategy, legislation and training aim to tackle classroom violence Margo Jimenez is still waiting for answers two years after the death of her husband, Alfred"Mr. Fred" Jimenez. Mr. Fred died in 2024 after he was pushed by a student with intellectual disabilities at Brandeis High School.Mr. Fred loved his students. His widow wants to know what led up to the push that took his life. Read full article: Mr. Fred loved his students. His widow wants to know what led up to the push that took his life.After reviewing records from local districts, KSAT Investigates found widespread reports of student-caused injuries—while educators say the true number may be higher– Teachers across Bexar County say getting hurt by students is part of the job. Data reviewed by KSAT Investigates shows it’s happening in nearly every school district, even as many incidents go unreported.In her living room, Tracey Sorrell has a gift from a student on display -- a hand drawn class portrait. Each stick figure represents a child she taught at Pease Middle School.Northside ISD special education teacher Tracey Sorrell showing off a classroom drawing gifted by a student.Sorrell said she’s worked at Northside ISD for 20 years, mostly working in special education.Sorrell’s love for the job no longer outweighs the physical toll it’s taken on her.“This is my last year,” replied Sorrell. “I hadn’t planned on retiring for about four more years, but I just, I can’t physically do it anymore. It is too difficult. ““These are from grabs,” she said, pointing to purple marks on her arms. Northside ISD special educator teacher Tracey Sorrell shows bruising on her arms which she said were caused by students grabbing her.Sorrell described injuries she’s gotten over the years, which include a cracked cheekbone, broken toes, and ripped toenails. A stack of envelopes on her counter are letter’s she’s gotten from the district’s risk management office about her injuries. For this school year, Sorrell said she’s reported 30. KSAT Investigates has spoken to several teachers over the years about student-caused injuries they’ve gotten. Those teachers described the lasting effects on their physical and mental health, as well as their careers. Alfred “Mr. Fred” Jimenez, a Brandeis High School instruction aide who died after being pushed by a student, had been hurt on the job before. “He came home with his glasses broken, you know, he had a black eye and a cut,” recalled his widow, Margo Jimenez.The Texas Education Agency confirmed to KSAT it does not keep track of the number of student-caused injuries reported by educators.Through an analysis of records from the last three full school years, KSAT Investigates found more nearly 8,000 reports of student-caused injuries. In Northside ISD, records show a pregnant teacher had to visit her obstetrician after a student pushed her stomach and knocked the wind out of her. A student in North East ISD started throwing desks and chairs after getting upset over being assigned homework. The district’s report said the student started punching, scratching, and biting his teacher. A Southwest ISD instructional aide went to the emergency room after a student threw a toy and hit her. Documents show the aid threw up and got disoriented. On average, data shows about 15 injury reports a school day were made during the 2024-2025 school year. But educators tell KSAT the number of injuries could be higher.While not all reports specified what types of students caused the injuries, many of the reports stated that they are connected to special education classrooms like Sorrell’s.Sorrell does not fault her students for hurting her. “Our students are either on the spectrum or they have some intellectual disability,” she explained. “They may understand what they’re doing, but they may not be able to control it.”“My son is afraid of getting a call, you know, from urgent care, from the ER, that I’m there,” she said. As her time in the classroom ends, Sorrell hopes her stories, reports from other educators, and her former colleague Mr. Fred’s death serve as lessons to create change in the classroom. “I can’t see a reason for anybody to die on the job in a school,” she said. “It should never happen.”If you’ve experienced violence in the classroom or if you’re the parent of a student who has injured a teacher and want to share your story, we want to hear from you. Daniela is an IRE 2025 Chauncey Bailey Investigative Reporting Fellow. This story is part of her yearlong project focusing on teacher injuries by students.Daniela Ibarra joined the KSAT News team in July 2023. This isn’t her first time in the KSAT newsroom– the San Antonio native spent the summer of 2017 as an intern. Daniela is a proud Mean Green alum, earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of North Texas.Is the 'smokable' hemp market about to be set ablaze?Should the city rename César Chávez Blvd?Day 3: Erica Hernandez recaps evidence shownSAPD says 12-year-old killed in a street racing crashPossible relief for a northeast side dangerous intersection.Blind man says security pushed him down stairs, beat him in parking lot of North Side barJury selection began on Monday in the case of Christopher Preciado
Dangerous Lessons Education Teacher Injury Northside ISD Southwest ISD North East ISD
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