More Details On The Teacher Story

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by Lamar Tyler | on June 10th, 2008 | 2 comments

Some of you wanted more details on what was going on with that teacher that threatened to rip out a students eyeballs and kill their family. Here ya go:

ATLANTA (MyFOX Atlanta) — Former Clayton County teacher Travis Heckstall is facing serious charges after Clayton County police say he made terroristic threats towards one his students.

The outburst and confrontation was recorded by a student packing a cell phone video camera.

One of students that recorded the conflict and her mother spoke exclusively with FOX 5 News.

Both mother and daughter agreed to talk with FOX 5 News provided their was protected. Both mother and daughter are having hard time understanding why the videotaped event is a criminal offense.

“He said that I would punch you so hard that I will kill your whole family.”

When the mother — named “Shelia” to protect her Identify — first heard what her child’s former Clayton Co. teacher Travis Heckstall said to one of his pupil she laughed.

“I’ve heard it on TV and I said well this guy is trying to sound tough. He’s really frustrated,” said Sheila.

But when her ninth grade daughter relayed more of the conversation — a conversation laced with expletives — laughter turned quickly into concern.

“To get to that point I don’t think he should be a teacher anymore,” Sheila said.

“Shelia” can say that with certainty — she’s taught school for 18 years — that Heckstall’s behavior is unacceptable. But she says losing your job is one thing but being charged with making threats is another.

“When we found out about the criminal charges that was really upsetting.”

The teacher and mother learned of the charges watching the news and says her child was distraught

“My daughter saw it on TV, him in the orange jump suit she cried. She had a hard time going to sleep. She said mamma that’s wrong. They got my teacher on there in handcuffs and shackles like he murdered somebody. The criminal charges I think that’s taking it way to far.”

FOX 5 News talked with the ninth grader by cell phone Sunday. She was one of the students that video taped the incident. She says she was just being a kid caught up in the excitement but now she’s defending her instructor

“He is a good person and they shouldn’t lock him up for six years. Cause everybody has times when they wish they hadn’t have done something,” said the ninth grader

Heckstall resigned in the middle of the investigation. He now faces charges of disorderly conduct and making terroristic threats — charges that will not be dropped said authorities Sunday.

“You’ve already fired the man. He was forced to resign. The embarrassment he’s gone through with him and his family. And now to put him up with people that are rapist and murders I just don’t think that’s right.”

About the author

Lamar and Ronnie Tyler are the creators of the award-winning blog BlackandMarriedWithKids.com . They also are behind the Amazon.com bestselling DVDs Happily Ever After: A Positive Image of Black Marriage, You Saved Me and Men Ain’t Boys that explores manhood in the African American community. The Tylers are also the proud parents of four children.

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Comments (2)

doris Tuesday - 10 / 06 / 2008 Reply

People today don't know what it's like in a class room.Too many ill to no mannered young people arrive daily with the same issues. These folks interfer with the learning process of children who are there to learn. The parents/people who had these young people don't even deal with their child 's behavior or learning issues, but let some teacher who has probably problems that over whem them inside as well as outside of the classroom say something out of frustration to the child and the parent goes on the ready to do battle to fight or fire the teacher. I wish every school in America went with the old ways. If your child can't behave and learn in the class room, the child should be at home with their people and let them educate the child, with the State in their face about what the child is learning or not. I bet you a dollar to a dime all this would chane in a New York minute. Think if you child gets on your nerves, what do you think he/she does for the teacher and other folks as well. The deal is you had it now you take care of it. It's called responsibility.
TheMom Tuesday - 10 / 06 / 2008 Reply

I agree with you Doris. You know your child..and before you go up to that school fussing out the teachers... you need to understand how your child contributed to the situation. However, there are some things teachers should not be saying to kids. Not all teachers are emotionally stable people. My son had a teacher that said something out of line to him.... he basically called my son some names. I told the teacher never to speak to my child in that manner again. I told him if he was having problems with my son, then he should let me know. I am a very supportive parent...I do not tolerate my son disrupting the class... It turns out that this teacher had some real problems. I was not the only parent complaining. This teacher could not control his class or his anger. I also told the Principal and the Vice Principal.. who were already monitoring that teacher. I have never complained about a teacher before...but this time my instincts were correct.. This teacher had some issues. But I did not ask for that teacher to be fired, everyone deserves to have some time to make corrective actions... i.e - anger management, or re-education... counseling...something. But to fire the teacher...put him jail ...that sounds extreme. I think thos extreme response comes from the fact the the teacher was exposed on YouTube and the media. And then everyone get's their panties in a bunch and become sooo outraged...it is like the politically correct thing to do. It could have been just an outburst...or a bad day for this teacher....If this teacher has a history of threatening or abusing the kids...then that is one thing. But if he doesn't, then I think the school and the police are reacting the publicity. They could very well be ruining the life of a good teacher. ...or maybe not ( since I do not know all of the background..it is not up to me to say.)