Apr 24, 2008 6:25 pm US/Eastern
Teacher In Attack Files Charges Against Student
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Jolita Berry was attacked by a student in her classroom.
The cell phone video of a Baltimore City student attacking her art teacher during class turned a national eye on violence in Baltimore City schools.
Gigi Barnett reports the teacher is recovering from her wounds and pressing assault charges against the student.
It's an attack art teacher Jolita Berry can't forget.
"Because of all the nightmares that I'm having, the lack of sleep, there are a lot of mental things that I have to work through," said Berry.
In the cell phone video captured by a student, Berry, a teacher at Reginald F. Lewis High School, is on the floor. She's covering her face as a female student sits on top pounding, striking and hitting her face.
Now Berry says it's her turn to fight back, but she's going through the courts. This week she filed criminal charges against the teen.
"I really don't want any other teacher to have to go through this. I did it because I didn't want the student to think it was something you can get away with," said Berry.
Berry says dozens of city teachers could do the same. So far this school year, principals expelled more than 100 students for striking a teacher.
Berry says many teachers don't come forward because they fear a school system that won't report the attacks or support teachers who complain about the violence.
"Unfortunately, there is a lot of retaliation when you step up to the plate and say, 'I want to get out of here,'" said Margaret Burns with the state's attorney's office.
The low number of teacher assault cases at Pat Jessamy's office supports that. Prosecutors would like to see more.
"She really encourages teachers to seek justice when they are violated or when they are assaulted," said Burns.
Berry says there's another reason she's pressing criminal charges, and it seems a clear message.
"It's uncalled for. No longer can students get away with all of the violence on teachers or on each other for that matter," said Berry.
The juvenile system will interview the girl and determine if the state's attorney's offices should prosecute her.
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