Coteau Elementary Assault

By concerned
Published/Last Modified on Saturday, October 24, 2009 9:18 PM CDT

I am aware and deeply concerned about an incident that occurred last week at Coteau Elementary. There was a small article about it in Friday's Daily Iberian, but I feel there should be more said about this situation. The PRINCIPAL was assaulted by an aide who was being reprimanded for not properly performing her duties, and that doesn't make at least the Second Front of the paper. The public should be outraged that this "woman" physically attacked her supervisor, drew blood, and went back into the school's classrooms to brag about what she had done. I hope I am not the only person who is bothered by this. Who do you think will want to run our schools if this is a fear that is valid? And how can we trust our children will be properly cared for and secure when these kinds of people are running about?

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Knew what was going on wrote on Nov 18, 2009 6:54 PM:

" To this is interesting it seems to me that you feel you have something to gain by airing your information about this aide. It is interesting that you feel that she is a violent or bad person, but what makes you better. Take the time to fix what's broken in your own life , before you try to play the role of the good samairtan, because your no good in the sight of God and you are not a professional when you're sleeping with a married man, and recking homes. Facts. "

This is interesting... wrote on Nov 16, 2009 10:31 PM:

" I can't quite understand what "Knew what was going on" is trying to say inside all that jibberish, BUT I do know that I have valid information. This "lady" has a history of violence and I hope she finally gets what's coming to her. "

Knew what was going on wrote on Nov 15, 2009 8:43 PM:

" To this is interesting - This is really interesting, And please don't tell me I am not correct because I had first hand knowledge from a realiable source that knows this para that she was taken aside and spoken to because she knew to much about you and the boss. It was very difficult for her to take all the calls from his wife while you and the boss carried on in the office- this is interesting. "

I want you to know wrote on Nov 15, 2009 7:53 PM:

" to this is interesting: The Principal has problems and sounds like you do too. "

This is interesting... wrote on Nov 14, 2009 11:53 PM:

" A few years ago, this aide was taken aside by another former employer (not IPSB) and spoken to about her lack of working. Guess what??? She went nuts then too. Police had to be called then as well. Seems to me that she's the one with the problems, not the principal. And please don't tell me that I'm not correct. I heard it first-hand from a close relative of the employer. I saw in Friday's DI that she has since been terminated and I'm glad she's out of the children's watchful eyes. "

enough already wrote on Nov 6, 2009 10:40 PM:

" Thank You, Clarify. I wish those who know it "so much better" would just call the school board to confirm this. The slander on this thread is just not worth wasting any more time on for obvious reasons. Have a great day! "

The Mean One wrote on Nov 5, 2009 2:55 PM:

" This is old news now! Let it go and move on! "

To Clarify wrote on Nov 5, 2009 12:25 AM:

" I work for the Iberia Parish School Board Office...and to become a paraeducator, you must have at minimum, a high school diploma or equivalent and take a para professional test. I am not saying that many do not have higher certifications, but it is not mandatory! "

PRINCIPALS FRIEND wrote on Nov 4, 2009 10:22 PM:

" I am a friend of this principal and have been for many years. I have never seen her act in such a manner that some people are trying to portray her. Whatever happened there is not for you people to speculate. As far as the husband issue goes, let it be people!!! She is a great friend, educator, & mother!!! "

THINGSareNOTalwaysAStheySEEM wrote on Nov 2, 2009 9:41 PM:

" To everyone making comments on this posting, things are not always as they seem. One does not know everything about the situation or the changes that have occurred at this school since being under a new principal. Wheter some would like to take that as a positive thing or a negative. Things are just not the same. Some things are positive, and others are not. "

i have my head on right wrote on Nov 2, 2009 8:31 PM:

" Let's get real. Anybody that knows anything about anything would know that this is not the place to post any past rumors about people that are currently teaching some of your children! This entire thread is a shame. You do not focus on the current issues because you are so worried about whose husband left who, or who stalked somebody, or who is suppossedly unprofessional. I have spent a lot of time with this principal and she is the epitome of professionalism. (If I lost the uneducated ones, go get a dictionary.) "

Excuse Me Miss wrote on Nov 2, 2009 6:25 PM:

" To: Whsteacher: if you were not on this site reading then you wouldn't be commenting. Apparently you need a hobby just as well as the rest of us.So you must be amazed within yourself. I enjoy reading and commenting just as much as you do "

Gee Whiz wrote on Nov 2, 2009 5:37 PM:

" To: Enough Already_ You have no idea of what you are talking about. I am a paraprofessional in Iberia Parish and there is no way that you can be hired with as little as a GED=High school diploma.I obtained an associates degree from ULL. This is one of the requirements to qualify for this job.I do everything that the teacher does except make lesson plans. We are required to attend workshops and meetings just like the teacher does. If anyone has a GED, they still have to meet those requirements Call IPSB ask for Ms. Jones personnel director "

To enough already wrote on Nov 2, 2009 3:50 PM:

" That may have been the same person, but I'm not that person and I really think the comment you made about the GED let me know that you are ignorant, because you don't have to possess any education to have common sense, and to be a decent person. You are one of those people who have no common sense if you believe a person has to have college degree etc. to have intelligence. Please let it go, and it will show how intelligent you are. "

I want you to know wrote on Nov 2, 2009 3:44 PM:

" School and busniess' hire people they don't know all the time. If this principal was so good why would they hire her? They hire people with the credenials all the time but not the ability to deal with people on a day to day basis. It happens in the work place all the time. That why they have harrassment laws. From reading these comments there are some people that doesn't see this principal in the great light that you see her. People are not perfect in any professsion and they transfrom easily. "

Peace wrote on Nov 2, 2009 3:08 PM:

" It relevant to me that Padu has an issue with the coach instead of the issue at hand it saddens me that all you grown up people that suppose to be intelligent can do is talk dirt and about people that suppose to reflect positive things in our children's life. No one is perfect and no matter what your posiition is at the school every one deserve respect in the job place you all should stay out of it and let this gossip column die for the sake of your children if nothing else "

I am just saying wrote on Nov 2, 2009 11:28 AM:

" TO: PADU - Obviously you were not there to witness anything. You are only going on hearsay. Why are you commenting when you don't have the facts. And if the incident that happened about her stalking a high school coach were true, then why would Iberia Parish School let her continue to work there? Obviously you are just making the whole story up. If you don't know what happened shut up. The PRINCIPAL is unprofessional. "

whsteacher wrote on Nov 2, 2009 8:22 AM:

" You people amaze me. Find a hobby, read a book, and stop gossiping. There is no need to bring in all this other unrelated gossip into the situation. It's already bad enough as it is.... "

to i know this principal wrote on Nov 1, 2009 10:49 PM:

" if this principal is like you say she is why would the school board allow her to teach at another school. If she had problems at Canal i think we have a right to know whats going on. Do you think the school board would allow her to be a principal somewhere else if she was that bad? I would like to know? "

enough already wrote on Nov 1, 2009 7:17 PM:

" A teacher's aide is a position you can obtain with as little as a G.E.D . Why it's obvious that you are one and the do you keep wasting our time? You're same person, with numerous different names trying to justify the attacker's reasoning, which is impossible. I'm going to let it rest at this time since arguing with ignorant people is useless. There's plenty openings for qualified teachers, if she really DID have a degree- why would she work as an aide??!! Good riddance, you're convincing nobody here of your innocence. "

padu wrote on Nov 1, 2009 1:41 PM:

" This para has been banned from Jeanerette High School for stalking a coach. It's appalling to me that the parish would hire her in any position after such an incident. The only people that know truly what happened at Coteau are those who were involved or those closely related to those that do. Those two "butt kissing" teachers actually do their jobs, as opposed to this obviously violent para. She accused the two teachers of not doing their jobs, when in reality she was not doing hers and couldn't handle the reprimand for her wrongdoings. "

I am just saying wrote on Oct 31, 2009 11:08 PM:

" To: MY THOUGHTS - That is just what your comments are YOUR THOUGHTS. You don't even know this aide. How do you know she is a low paid undeducated carefree aide. What do you do for a living? You are probably a low paid uneducated carefree nobody.
You said you have friends that are teachers, then they should let you know that a lot of aides have college degrees. Obviously you don't know what your talking about. The next time you hear of a fine educator committing a crime, remember what you said there should be better screening. "

noasskisser wrote on Oct 31, 2009 5:11 PM:

" This para is a very nice lady and the principal is very selfish unprofessional BITTER Woman.I believe she hit the para first and now she's trying to clear her own name.Thanks the two butt kissing teachers the para had to work with and the two subs who wanted the para position.THE PRINICPAL SHOULD BE IN TROUBLE ALSO ......... "

neworleanscajun wrote on Oct 31, 2009 2:30 PM:

" Since my submitted post didn't make it, I'll try again. Regardless of the amount of education or expensive clothes, women who get into fights are not "ladies." If the principal was not merely a victim, but a participant, she should be fired immediately as should the aide.
This is a SCHOOL, people, not the Jerry Springer show...but some of you don't seem to know the difference. You might want to step away from the TV sets and get a life in the real world.
The whole situation is pathetic and inexcusable. "

agrees with Smack Down wrote on Oct 31, 2009 2:23 PM:

" You are correct. I am a teacher and my friend, another teacher, works at Coteau Elementary. She observed this "aide" going into the computer lab, that had a class FULL of 6th graders in it. This is where this "aide" bragged, or mouthed off, about beating up the principal. Whatever you people want to say is your business, but my friends who teach there simply love the principal. Maybe she's better there because she's now working with true professionals. "

Smack Down wrote on Oct 31, 2009 10:40 AM:

" It looks like things are popping out in the country of Coteau. I wouldn't know why anyone bloodied by another person would not file charges it's beyond me. There are a few exceptions however. If the principal laid hands upon her subordinate she would have committed the same infraction of the law. Reading some of the posts it appears the subordinate has chosen to brag about the smack down she gave her boss in front of children. There's only one remedy. The boot has to hit her hiney at the same time the pink-slip-reaches-her-hand.------Bye-Bye---Subordinate. "

Heard it from a reliable source wrote on Oct 31, 2009 10:32 AM:

" To: JOSEPH sounds like to me you are the crazy violent person - talking about allowing guns into the school. The principal started the physical altercation and the para defended herself. You don't know what happen at the school and should not comment. "

I dont approve of the principal or the para fighting wrote on Oct 31, 2009 10:24 AM:

" To: HAD NO IDEA - First get the facts before you start making any requests about keeping this para off the campus for the kids sake. You don't know what happen. Just because she is a principal doesn't make it right, the principal is equally wrong. I have read in the news of principals and teachers that have done a lot of wrong things. As a matter of fact more than you hear about paras. Shut up if you don't have the facts. Both the principal and para should be fired. "

neworleanscajun wrote on Oct 30, 2009 11:24 PM:

" Wow. This thread has some pretty bizarre posts. If it's true that the principal was not the victim of an assault, but was an actual participant in a fight, the story is even more pathetically unbelievable. Hopefully, that part is not true.

I don't care how much education people have. If they have no more class than to fight, they are not "ladies." Some of you seem not to be able to distinguish between real life and the Jerry Springer show. "

SURPRISESURPRISE wrote on Oct 30, 2009 4:13 PM:

" Yes, this para does have a bachelors degree, so this mean that she is a college graduate. She is currently working on her certification, and her masters degree. She is an above person. I know because we graduated from college together. Teaching is not the only thing that she is skilled in. I wish both ladies well. "

FYI wrote on Oct 30, 2009 3:53 PM:

" Apparently some of you people think that a para is someone who has no education, but you're wrong. In order to be a para-educator in this parish, you must have an Associate Degree, or and, take and pass a state test. Call the personnel department at the school board and get this information.Quite a number of paras have a bachelors degree also, but do not have their certification yet. This means that these paras are college grads. Some of them know more than the classroom teacher that they're working with, because they've had the same training. Get the facts FIRST!!! "

Heard it from a reliable source wrote on Oct 30, 2009 12:29 PM:

" Enough already, obviously you don't know the whole story either. You need help if you are defending this prinicipal who was fighting and should have handled the situation differently. I doubt it if you know this prinicpal like you say you do. I heard that this paraeducator has a 4 year college degree and pursuing a Masters degree. Why don't you verify that information about the paraeducator 4 year college degree with the school board. I heard that there were no children around when both the principal and paraeducator got physical.
OThey both were wrong. "

Enough Already wrote on Oct 30, 2009 10:56 AM:

" to: I KNOW THIS PRINCIPAL , obviously you are one of the PEOPLE WHO DONT KNOW THE WHOLE STORY since you apparently also weren't there but admittedly HEARD IT FROM A RELIABLE SOURCE : Stop dragging the Principal through the dirt already. If you are seriously defending the woman who attacked the Principal, you need help. It is NEVER okay to get physical, much less at school in front of children. Get a grip on reality and despite using big words like "para-educator", a GED-toting AIDE is far from being a college-degree achieving EDUCATOR ! "

Heard it from a reliable source wrote on Oct 30, 2009 6:11 AM:

" Parent, what is wrong with you. You stated you have no idea about what happen, then why are you commenting about things you know nothing about. The paraeducator was arrested because the principal lied about the whole thing. She is fooling everybody.
And Katie I agree with you that both the principal and the paraeducator should be fired. I would not want my child to attend a school where the prinicipal was fighting. It was unprofessional on both the principal and the paraeducator. "

parent wrote on Oct 29, 2009 11:08 PM:

" what is wrong with you people? Do you have nothing better to do then discuss things that you no nothing about. I for one have no idea what went on at the school, however the police were called and investigated obviously since the para was arrested. I do not believe that the pricipal had anything to do with the altercation. People need to leave well enough alone and stop being messy!!! "

Katie wrote on Oct 29, 2009 7:58 PM:

" They both should be fired! What kind of example is this setting for our children? This is why I homeschool my child...there's no education in the school system...these kids are taught nothing of moral values or anything that will help them be successful! The morality of our shcool systems went down as soon as God was removed from them. It will only get worse! "

I know this Prinicipal wrote on Oct 29, 2009 12:56 PM:

" The principal at Coteau Elementary is not who she is trying to make Law Enforcement believe she is. You should discreetly talk to some of her old colleagues and parents at Canal Elementary School who can really tell you about her. On some of the comments I read some people stated that GOD sees everything. That is true, GOD sees everything and GOD saw the principal attacked the paraeducator first.
The principal is the one who created the hostile environment. Why is she still at the school? She should be fired for fighting. "

Heard it from a reliable source wrote on Oct 29, 2009 12:44 PM:

" I heard that the Prinicipal at Coteau Elementary was the one who started the physical altercation between her and the paraeducator. I feel that the paraeducator had every right to defend herself. People need to stop putting these administrators and teachers on a pedestal. They are human and they do make mistakes too. I have heard of so many instances where administrators and teachers have been charge of committing crimes. I feel they both were unprofessional. And the principal should have handle the situation professionally ,
she should be suspended for fighting on campus. "

People who dont know the whole story wrote on Oct 28, 2009 8:06 PM:

" People who don't know the whole story should not comment. There are so many rumors about what happenmed between the Prinicipal and Paraeducator at Coteau Elementary. But no one knows the whole truth. People make their comments without getting the facts. Get facts before you make any commets. This prinicpal is no saint. Trust. "

Gee Whiz wrote on Oct 28, 2009 7:27 PM:

" I'm so sorry Avid Reader that you got so hot under the collar. I read your comment,every word, and between each and every line. What you are referring to was no secret in this parish. I'm not going to go back and forth with you like a five year old kid, but you were not a staff member at Canal or St. Charles, you don't have a clue. Some people may have been sorry o see her go, but some were equally glad to see her go. Like i said before you have no clue "

My Thoughts wrote on Oct 28, 2009 3:28 PM:

" My wife is a volunteer at one of the local elementary schools. She donates several hours once a week and helps from home. If more people with a little free time would step up and help out, we wouldn't have these low paid uneducated carefree aides assaulting our fine educators. We have several friends who are teachers. I hope that a better screening process is adopted to reduce the posibility of this happening in the future. There are alot of stay at home moms and people out of work that should step up and help out. "

avid reader wrote on Oct 28, 2009 10:00 AM:

" I never said anything about her husband leaving her? Go back and read my POST!!! No one stated that either woman was more than the other one. Before you comment, please read the post and understand it. I also know people who worked at Canal St. Elem and they LOVED the principal and hated to see her leave. What are YOU talking about really?? "

Gee Whiz wrote on Oct 27, 2009 7:03 PM:

" First of all this was a very unfortunate incident. These two women are both adults. One is no more than the other one. Avid Reader: people's husbands leave them for their co-workers everyday. You are right God does not sleep!! This is why all of these things are happening to this lady. You do not know this "Principal", nor do you know this Para.Ask any person who worked at Canal St. Elem. You will be surprised. "

neworleanscajun wrote on Oct 27, 2009 6:46 PM:

" Acadiana atheist, here's another angle to consider. It can be assumed that this violent lowlife grew up in the US. It can also be presumed that she is under 60 years of age. Therefore, she has had every advantage compulsory education could offer, including assistance for higher education. For whatever reason, she chose not to take advantage of these opportunities, thereby limiting her choice of jobs. It's called consequences.

Most people in the world, including Mexican immigrants, would be thrilled with minimum wage and wouldn't assault the principal. She should be UNDER the jail. "

concerned parent wrote on Oct 27, 2009 6:46 PM:

" You are incorrect. Not just sped classrooms have aides. They are placed in classrooms for certain children.The aide would be helping just a certain student or students. The policy of the school board is to main stream these students at least for some classes. If I heard correctly, this was an aide in a regular classroom. "

had no idea wrote on Oct 27, 2009 6:11 PM:

" To " Acadiana Atheist" - I believe Aides also help out in Pre-K classes and probably make minimum wage, just like Nurse's Aides etc. Unfortunately too many drop out of high school and end up in dead-end, low-paying jobs, but that's not giving anyone the right to behave like a criminal and it certainly doesn't justify that Aide's behavior, right? What's next, fast-food& department-store workers who can assault customers just because they're underpaid & angry even though it's their own fault? I see your point but being underpaid doesn't cause criminal behavior, it's just everone's lame excuse for everything. "

Acadiana Atheist wrote on Oct 27, 2009 12:09 PM:

" Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that only the Special Ed teachers get an aide. If I'm wrong, then my point is wrong as well, but I will go ahead and say it. Special Ed Aides probably don't make much more than minimum wage. If the Parish is going to continue to pay these low wages, then they can expect these types of issues to arise. Quality employees demand quality wages. But, like I said, if I'm wrong then my point is wrong as well. Either way she should be punished for assault and child endangerment!! "

Donna wrote on Oct 26, 2009 6:47 PM:

" I just found out about this incident. My daughter attends this school and yes it disturbes me. I feel that this is a awesome principal and I respect her and her decisions. I feel this is something a authority figure should not have to face in a place that is supposed to be safe for our children. I hope they proscute this aide to the fullest extent. "

avid reader wrote on Oct 26, 2009 1:41 PM:

" Yes, the aide was fired and charges were pressed. The principal at Coteau has been through alot in the past couple of years and she certainly didn't deserve this. God does not sleep and those who have hurt her will suffer. "

Joseph wrote on Oct 25, 2009 1:38 PM:

" If you think this sounds crazy, you are probably a "sheep". There is nothing wrong with that except that you will most likely be the one to lay down and cooperate when the "wolf" comes in to commit his crime. Hopefully you have a "sheepdog" around that will help you out. Thats what I would like for my child when I send him to school everyday. Someone to protect him. I don't think this forum would ever allow guns in schools for certain people, but its something to think about for you and others who feel the same as you. "

Joseph wrote on Oct 25, 2009 1:35 PM:

" Unfortuantely, because of the violence in our community, we can not have all of our "sheepdogs" in our schools protecting our children. The sheepdogs that you see everyday are police officers, military, etc. There are many other sheepdogs living amoung us that we don't notice. And those could be teachers in our schools. They can only help out in situations to a certain extent. But if we allowed those properly screen and possessing permits to conceal weapons on their purses or breifcases, they will be able to prevent our children from being injured if the situation may occur. "

Joseph wrote on Oct 25, 2009 1:31 PM:

" There are three kinds of people in this word: sheep, wolves, and sheepdogs. The sheep are the people who are totally oblivious to the fact that of crime and violence and will not be able to protect themselves if a situation like this occurs. Wolves are those criminals. Wolves are the bad people that rape, steal, beat, and kill. They do so without remorse. They feed off of the sheep. Sheepdogs are the type of people that look over the sheep and protect them from the wolves. They would lay there lives down for the sheep. "

Jospeh wrote on Oct 25, 2009 1:27 PM:

" Now the thought of having weapons to defend yourself and others is horrible to some, but you have to think about it. Any employee can bring a weapon into school with intent to assault. Who is going to be there to defend the children and employees? Maybe that overweight, retired rent-a-cop? Maybe the janitor with the broom? Very unlikely. Anyone who is approved to have a concealed carry permit for a firearm has been thoroughly screened and given a background check. And people who get those permits do so for protection, not to commit a crime. "

JOSEPH wrote on Oct 25, 2009 1:22 PM:

" It is a very scary thought that things like this can happen in the schools we send our children to everyday. I'm sure the number of crazy people, like the one who assaulted her supervisor, is very minute compared to the number of good teachers and employees of public school system. There are a lot of good people that would protect others when things like this happen and many of them are our children's teachers. The sad thing is that the ability to defend themselves and others is very limited due to the fact weapons are restricted. "

had no idea wrote on Oct 25, 2009 8:24 AM:

" We do not subscribe to the DI paper copy during the week, so I sure didn't know about this. You're darn skippy I don't want someone like that a my kids' school! Can you share more about this? Did they print a name? "AIDEs" work there all the time, that's not just a one-time classroom helper. I 'm definitely going to be at the office next week demanding this person to be kept off the campus for our kids' sake. Someone with the audacity to assault an adult won't even think twice before hitting a child. Not acceptable! "

Is she still employed wrote on Oct 25, 2009 4:06 AM:

" I sure hoped they arrested and fired her! "

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Coteau Elementary Assault

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