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Teacher fight in Clayton sounds like Jerry Springer script

4:53 pm October 30, 2009, by Maureen Downey

A messy love triangle is one thing, but a brawl in a school with expletives flying in front of students crosses a line. I don’t think the two teachers involved in Monday’s melee belong in classrooms with kids. I would not want my children in their classes. I doubt any other parents would, either.

Unfortunately, the fight between two women over a male teacher who they were both seeing occurred in Clayton County, which doesn’t need any more negative press. (The county’s tarnished reputation is not being helped by school board member  Trinia Garrett who is about to go on trial for assaulting her live-in boyfriend.)

I understand that one teacher appears to be the greater aggressor here, but the alleged conduct of both in full view of  students is appalling. If the police report is accurate, the incident reflects a stunning lack of professionalism . In fact, the drama sounds like a Jerry Springer script.

According to the AJC story,

The fight broke out Monday morning after the women learned they both were involved with the same male teacher, who also teaches at the school.

Cobb, who told police she is expecting a child with the man, said she found a letter from Smith on the man’s Facebook page.

“I am in love with you. I am tired of being your every blue moon [expletive],” the letter read.

Cobb responded on Facebook with a “tumultuous” message, police said.

On Monday morning, the fight moved from Facebook to the school halls. That’s where Smith approached Cobb and told her to “never do that again,” the report states.

Cobb summoned an assistant principal, but the fight didn’t stop.

Instead, it spilled into a classroom where Smith began to swing at Cobb, the report states.

Several other teachers broke up the fight and Cobb stormed down the hallway while threatening to post the letter on the blackboard.

The assistant principal told police she pulled Cobb into another classroom, with the children present, to calm her down. But Cobb continued to curse in front of the students. That’s when Smith ran into the room again and “attempted to attack” Cobb, the report states.

Police interviewed several students, who said they heard Smith yell “[Expletive], you don’t want none of this” and “get the [expletive] off me” while teachers were holding her down.

After talking to students and teachers, police charged Smith with simple assault and disorderly conduct. Cobb was charged with disorderly conduct.

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136 comments Add your comment

I mean really?!?!?!

November 1st, 2009
11:07 pm

This really could have been handled any way they wanted AFTER SCHOOL!!!! Not that any of this had to come to a physical altercation, particularly with an unborn child involved, but it was truly unnecessary to address while children were able to witness the situation. As a parent, I would have been EXTREMELY UNHAPPY if my middle schooler came home with that story!

EducationCEO

November 2nd, 2009
1:09 am

LOL @Lee. No one would challenge her becase she’s smarter than a 5th grader…..

Sarge

November 2nd, 2009
2:22 am

Joy in Teaching, you made a comment which, I feel, needs a great more than a modicum of clarification. True, some people have problems…in fact, EVERYONE has problems. We all go out into society, be it the job, the store, or whathaveyou, ladden with baggage. The caveat, however, lies in two camps:

1) Self-control, something which appears to have become as quaint and old fashioned as rumble seats, remains the one human characteristic necessary…absolutely necessary…for a society to function. As evidenced with the absurd, often deadly, behavior we read of (and observe) daily, it would appear that ours is quickly becoming a society in decline. Witness the vast amounts of public and private resources which, by necessity, are funneled toward, what might be charitably refered to as social anomalies. Redirected toward social growth objectives (education, public services, etc), these resources would be, not only life-sustaining (in the social sense), but life-enriching. It would appear, therefore, that behavior, such as occured between these two educators (another charitable application) is yet another indication of society in decline.

2) Teaching, in the traditional sense, is a profession, not simply a vocation by which a tightly-defined job description is performed within an equally-defined time frame. Because we, as humans, are ALL subject to that aformentioned baggage, it becomes all-the-more imperative that we, as professionals, learn to “leave the baggage at home”. In our daily goings-about, we come across any number of people who, not “leaving the baggage in the driveway”, appear surly, aggravated, and sometimes even combative. As unfortunate as this may be, their job effectiveness may or may not be adversly affected (I would not care one bit if the person at the checkout was behaving “oddly”…”just give me my receipt and I’ll be on my way”). This would certainly not be considered professional behavior, and has no place in a learning environment, much less with impressionable minds.

These two, for the sake of a society in decline, should be banned, by the state professional standards, from ever being in a position of influencing others.

J. Degrees

November 2nd, 2009
7:38 am

Please vote. I bet you these persons did not get extensive professional education. Those of us who actually went through rigorous teacher programs know better. They all should be transferred including the man for his loose morals. The women should be put on probation.

Bumby Johnson

November 2nd, 2009
8:35 am

TO: Science Teacher 671:

It is unfortunate that Ms. Cobb and Ms. Smith of Rex Mills Middle School let their emotions clound their judgment. They should be terminated period. In Dekalb County School last year, two Administrators engaged in a fight (Miller Grove High School) and they are still working today. The two adminstrators got into fight during dismissal in the presence of students because both administrators discovered they both were having an affair with the Principal Carol Thelford. The inept ODE with an undercover person as their President Dave Shutten, is the reason Dekalb County Schools continues to violate the rights of employees. His alternative lifestyle is apparent and he is serving as the President of the Organization Of Dekalb Educators. How ironic.

libra

November 2nd, 2009
8:37 am

how we know it’s his baby

Bumby Johnson

November 2nd, 2009
8:43 am

To Sarah:

God loves everyone. It is unfortunate but we should not judge anyone. Whatever the male teacher did to those teachers to make them behave this way should be examined. I’m sure he is feeling guilty regarding the entire episode. He should be reassigned to another school and he should recieve a letter of concern regarding his behavior.

Sarah

November 2nd, 2009
9:15 am

Yes, I think unmarried and pregnant is awful. This whole world is going to hell in a handbasket. If they weren’t in a position that is suppose to be respected, I would still have a problem with it. This is my opinion and I am entitled to it.

j

November 2nd, 2009
12:38 pm

classy clintwood, real classy

to fix your sentence “all of ya’ll folks on here are racist as hell … all black people don’t act like that and for ya’ll to say that is bullcrap”

come on man, at least get the grammar right to make your point

JAMMin

November 2nd, 2009
2:04 pm

For the record the male teacher was engaged to Ms. Cobb until this past summer. Teachers are human, too. So what if she’s unwed and pregnant. Your mother was, too! Furthermore, Ms. Cobb and the male teacher dated before they started working at Rex Mill. Why is that a problem. So then he starts seeing Ms. Smith. AND? How many people have dated people at the job? The problem is that personal business was brought to the job. Ms. Smith could have addressed this outside of the school. And yes, Ms. Cobb was wrong, too. I agree that the women should be reprimanded. My son attends the school. I am thankful that he was not in their class this year! I have heard positive things about all of them. Coach Green has been a great mentor. I am disappointed, but all have sinned and fallen short. They are human. Who are we to judge them.

Maureen Downey

November 3rd, 2009
7:12 am

J, That poster’s stuff has been deleted.
Maureen

NoJudgement

November 3rd, 2009
10:50 am

JAMMin you miss the point. They brought this to work. How mature to say that everybody else’s mother was unmarried too! Really?! Speak for yourself sweetie!

Nobody is saying teachers aren’t human, but they need to think about their actions. It was dumb and they should be FIRED! No matter how positive they’ve been, they brought their personal lives to work. That ain’t a judgement, that’s a fact. BTW, I have a problem with unwed pregnant teachers too. But I live my life by a different moral code than you apparently do.

JAMMin

November 3rd, 2009
1:47 pm

For the record, I was married 3 years before I had my first child; however, it is what it is. Parents are responsible for teaching their own children morals and values. That is not the job of the teachers! They should be fired for bringing it to the school. I agree. However, being unwed and pregnant is not a problem. Would it be a problem if she wasn’t teaching?

DjCross1

November 3rd, 2009
3:56 pm

Too all the Sisters on posting on this page.
Please stop blaming all of your issues on a man! No matter what you want to say or believe it is not his fault that they had a fight at school! Women play men far more than men can ever play a woman. But y’all only get mad about it when it happens to you. Not cool and not fair. He may be guilty of being with both women but what if one of them couldn’t let go? I mean who posts a personal letter on somebody’s wall in the first place unless you are trying to make a public statement right? Anybody thought of that? It’s hard being Adults but that’s what we have to be! The maturity of both women should be in question if you ask me!

NoJudgement

November 3rd, 2009
5:27 pm

Yes, JAMMin it would! I am of the belief that you should be married BEFORE you have children. I know it’s not a popular belief, but it’s what I believe. More problems are caused by kids that come from homes without two parents than with. Not an opinion but a fact. That doesn’t mean that a person that comes from a single family home can’t be successful, of course they can, one is our president! But ask any kid without two parents and they’ll definitely tell you that they’d love to have mom and dad at home.

FYI – teachers do teach values. Let a kid hit another one and see what conversation comes from that. Teachers are held to a higher standard, it may not be fair, but in your words, it is what it is.

straight foolishness

November 3rd, 2009
5:42 pm

MAJII, good point. I wish more parents were like this. My parents were like that also. My mother had 7 children and we all knew better than to have a baby out of wedlock. This stuff is so celebrated within our community it is ridiculous.

Badcatm

November 4th, 2009
9:21 am

I’m 64 years old and I think it is sad the the title “Teacher” doesn’t mean as much to most of our teachers today as it did when I was in school. Then a person became a “Teacher” because they loved to teach young people not just because it was a way to earn a living. Yes, I have heard teachers are underpaid but you chose that profession knowing this and you were aware of the problems and disrespect that some of the students now display. All this said there is no reason not to have morals regardless of what your profession.

Shame

November 5th, 2009
8:56 pm

This has been an absolute disgrace to the hardworking students,parents and teachers of Rex Mill Middle! It is an embarassment that everyone is forced to face! Children can’t wear their school colors or school name without people looking at them sideways, parents are being questioned about the school and teachers have endured calls, comments and sideways looks from family, friends and even strangers! Really these two should NOT have brought it to school! They have ruined the school with scandal!

Not surprised

November 16th, 2009
8:07 pm

As a former teacher of Clayton County Public schools I have to say that I am not all that surprised by this story. The events that took place at my school while working in the county were shocking and completely unprofessional.
As a teacher I feel that I am held to a higher regard and expected to behave in a dignified manner. I feel as though teachers should be an example for the students that they teach. These teachers should have their teaching certificates taken away.

Ripdog

November 16th, 2009
9:26 pm

If I lived in Clayton County I’ll rob someone so I can afford to send my kids to Westminster. These crazy in Clayton County.

Lknga68

November 17th, 2009
9:48 am

Teachers are supposedly held to a higher standard in conduct and expectations and yet their pay isn’t. They have a most important job but received the minimum in pay. Sometimes you really do get what you pay for. And if this was all over facebook you can best believe those kids knew what was going on. Those teachers probably had some as friends and they witnessed this nonsense from the beginning. This is just disgraceful.

twinkie1cat

November 17th, 2009
9:53 am

I am appalled that two fellow educators would act up like that at work, especially over a man. They made a major contribution to the disrespect suffered by teachers under the Bush administration.

Keep your personal life and your work life separate, ladies. Even if you caught your husband in bed with a coworker, put on your work face and don’t take it off until the dismissal bell rings and the kids are gone! And then, go off campus. Always behave with decorum at work. Dating relationships should not be obvious in the work environment. You are role models and examples for the children, often the only ones they have.

These people do not sound like professional educators. They sound like alternate certified. Does anyone know if they are real teachers with education degrees, and how old they are. In the 90’s if a young teacher behaved inappropriately (such as a paraprofessional in Atlanta who came to work in pumps, a leather mini skirt and a see through blouse) an older, respected teacher would take her aside and mentor her. Was the family killed off by No Child Left Behind?

twinkie1cat

November 17th, 2009
10:04 am

Teachers DO teach values. Sometimes they are the only positive values kids get. And I am not talking about little stories and vignettes read from a “Values education” curriculum. I am talking about their teaching values by how they carry themselves, don’t discriminate, and by how they treat others. What teachers don’t teach is religion. While the two are connected, they are not the same. The whiny talibangelists want their to home school or send their kids to unaccredited Christian misrahs because, they claim that public school teachers don’t teach values, but in every interaction a teacher has on her job, she is.

Brinaj

November 17th, 2009
1:50 pm

I’ve taken the time to read most of these comments. As a mother, I would have great concern about teachers who conduct themselves in the manner. But I use to work with Ms. Cobb, not closely, and I only knew her to be a good person. She seemed to care about her students and loved the profession. It saddens me whenever good people do stupid things, but the truth is we have all made dumb mistakes.

Having said that, I don’t think their careers should be ruined behind this. I think they shouldn’t teach within the county, but everyone deserves to earn a living. Believe me, the embarrassment they have endured over this is probably enough punishement to last them an eternity. Live and let live.

jc

November 17th, 2009
4:32 pm

Wake up! This is what is in our classrooms all across America. After working in the public and private education sector for 13 years I can tell you I was disgusted at what I saw. Granted, there are some very talented and dedicated teachers out there but they are few and far between these days. I have seen incompetent, lazy and just plain stupid people teaching our young, Not to mention some whom I believe are mentally unstable. They scream for more pay but complain if they have to work after hours. My husband is a very successful businessman but he had to put his time in which included 70+ hours a week much of it from home and on weekends. He proved himself and now is a business owner. And no, he was not compensated for that extra time. The people we have teaching our children expect a lot of pay without having to put much into it. And from this pool of people this is what you get! A BA in education is an easy degree to get. In fact in most college’s today the education majors are frowned upon and basically thought of as the “not too bright group.” It is sad. There was a time when it was not like this but it has been this way for the last 20 years.

blackman

November 17th, 2009
5:49 pm

Firstly, I thought V’s first comment was hilarious! I read it four times!

Secondly, no need to vilify the man for having multiple sex partners.
Women are not that innocent. Who knows what the ladies were doing?
Unless there is an agreement to be monogamous, life is life. Let up on
the brother . . . . . I only hope he steps up to the plate with the kid. That
is his DUTY . . .

Thirdly, as far as the ladies fighting in front of the students is concerned:
unprofessional. But, people are people. Tempers flare. Emotions take
over. Should they be fired? I’m not quite sure. It may be better to reassign
them, hold an assembly to have them apologize to the students for their
behavior, and take some responsibility for their actions.

It would be a great teaching moment if someone could make that happen down
in Clayton County. Students don’t need to see perfection – they need to see
accountability, responsibility, and a society’s willingness to allow itself human
frailty. With forgiveness. Then the kids won’t be afraid to keep moving through
life with the best intentions that they can muster. They can’t be afraid to be
human. They need to learn, at this young age, what that means . . . then maybe
they will CHOOSE to avoid the social awkwardness that comes from this type
of situation . . . and learn to FORGIVE THEMSELVES if they slip.

I am a black male college professor in NYC – and I have wanted to beat co-workers
on many occasions . . . fortunately, I make my choices consciously. Because I
was taught by my black single mother, and by many of my black female teachers
growing up, about how to do that. And it involved either being a part of, or watching,
a sh#tload of mistakes unfold.

thePhoenix

November 17th, 2009
5:55 pm

3 MORE FACEBOOK CASUALTIES…. JUST LIKE CHRIS BROWN AND RIHANNA!!!

thePhoenix

November 17th, 2009
5:58 pm

ALL 3 OF THEM NEED TO GO…. too much freaky deeky and not enough hittin’ the books, ‘ya mean?!

Too much gettin’ your honey where you get your money! To quote the less venerable Amy McCallister.

thePhoenix

November 17th, 2009
6:01 pm

http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2009/10/30/teacher-fight-in-clayton-sounds-like-jerry-springer-script/comment-page-2/#comment-16648

if you are the same Jammin that I know, you also cheated… wasn’t your girl a nurse?

HHW

November 18th, 2009
10:35 pm

2 stupid hens fighting over an ugly duckling. How sick is that? Thank God that my child is not at Rex-Mill,and for all you parents that have kids there, I would be embarrassed to tell anyone, especially if the teacher is allowed to return. How can she tell someone to stop using bad language and fighting when she did it in front of them.This is the time that all of the parents should band together and tell the principal,the board and Dr Heatley that allowing her back in the classroom to teach is an injustice to the children.

LAVISH LADY

November 19th, 2009
12:23 pm

PEOPLE ARE SAYING THAT THE MAN SHOULD HAVE BEEN PUNISHED I DONT THINK SO. THESE ARE GROWN WOMEN AND THIS GOES ON EVERYDAY EVERYWHERE. THIS SHOULDNT BE NOTHING NEW TO ANYBODY IT JUST SO HAPPEN THE FIGHT BROKE OUT AT SCHOOL. INNOCENT KIDS ARE BORN EVERYDAY NOT JUST IN THIS SITUATION. UNPROTECTED SEX HAPPENS EVERYDAY. YES THEY ARE EDUCATORS AND “SHOULD KNOW BETTER”, AND SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR THE STUDENTS BUT WHO REALLY PRACTICE WHAT THEY PREACH. STUDENTS ARE INFLUENCE BY EACH NOWADAYS BUT IM JUST GLAD THE PREGNANT LADY DIDNT LOSE HER BABY!! LADIES LETS BE SMART!!

PLEEEEEEze

November 19th, 2009
12:56 pm

The man did nothing wrong unless there is a clause that states u cannot date at work he is free to do as he will was it smart? no was he wrong no! I agree that I don’t want unmarried pregnant women teaching my kids it is so wrong!! that is why our daughters are so jacked-up in their thinking! being pregnant or sleeping with a man does not mean you own him only when a women is married can she truthfully say yes this is MY husband and no other women should mess with him. I am tired of this mess in the black community we are not slaves where we had to breed we are now choosing to become educated breeders based on our own insecurities and low self esteem all of this birth control and a womens right to choose and we still choose foolishness, no wonder our men take advantage of the situation why buy the cow when you can get the milk FREE shacking up is not an excuse for marriage babies outta wedlock does not a family make you and your sperm donor! God bless the child of these two foolish adults!

Yournameisyourdestiny

November 19th, 2009
11:02 pm

Hate to say it, but as soon as I read the names Clayton county, Ebony, Chaka and Facebook, I was not surprised. Were you?

Kentucky

November 21st, 2009
9:54 am

This is ridiculous—arguing about who is wrong or right. They all got themselves into a royal mess, and it was not the school’s fault or anyone else’s fault but theirs. The woman chose to bring it into the school, and the other woman joined in. They made complete fools of themselves, to say nothing of the impact it had on their students. I personally don’t feel sorry for the women or the man. They are educated people, and they should know how to conduct themselves in public. Obviously, they don’t.

Really?

January 6th, 2010
9:14 pm

@ PLEEEEEEze

Did someone steal the punctuation keys off your keyboard? Probably so if you live in Clayton County.

Elizabeth Anglin

March 7th, 2010
9:29 pm

was this in Geogia? of Iowa?

sounds like this was in Georgia because teachers just don’t act like that here in Iowa

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