A beloved New York City schoolteacher suffered a miscarriage Wednesday after she was hit in the stomach while trying to break up a fight between two students. Lissedia Batista, a Spanish teacher at Exploration Academy in the Claremont section of the Bronx was in the throes of her fifth-period lesson when a student entered her class five minutes late. When the pupil demanded that another student give up his seat and the student refused, a fist fight ensued.
When the battle escalated, Batista, who was four months pregnant, immediately tried to get between the 15-year-olds to try and stop the conflict. Somehow, the 27-year-old educator got elbowed in the stomach, and she fell to the floor crying.
Batista was immediately transported to a nearby hospital where she miscarried her unborn child.
The students at the center of the fight were suspended.
Students at the school are hurt and angered over what happened to a teacher they loved and often referred to as their "counselor." O'Neil Jones, 16, a junior at the school, said, "All the students love her and our wishes go out to her. This is a supernice woman we're talking about." Fellow student Amaury Lopez adds, "I can't believe it. I can't believe she lost her child over a fight over a chair."
New York City's DeputyMayor Dennis Walcott released a statement saying: "This is a very sad incident, and my heart goes out to Mrs. Batista and her family. I reached out to the principal and Mrs. Batista to express my sincere condolences."
Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers, said the union would bring up Batista's case and other violent episodes this week with education officials on Friday. "Students, parents and teachers deserve to go to school in a safe learning environment every day," Mulgrew said.
Meanwhile, Batista has decided not to bring up any charges against the two boys in question for fear that they would wind up in the city's criminal justice system.
That is very noble of Batista. However, fighting in school should never be tolerated, and children who are brutally disruptive are perpetrators of such violence. Children must be taught the consequences of violent acts, and more severe penalties should be enacted by school officials. Schools should be respected as sanctuaries where civilization is mastered.
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