Texas middle school teacher fired amid bullying accusations

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - A North Texas teacher has been fired amid allegations she berated and bullied students, CBS DFW reports.

The Truman Middle School teacher, Dedi Townsend, was preparing students in Grand Prairie for the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) test when the alleged incident happened on Friday.

"I asked [Townsend] for help and she wouldn't help me," said an 8th grader at the school. The student said Townsend pressed her nose to his face and yelled at him when he had trouble preparing for the test.

Townsend had been removed from the classroom by Monday morning, CBS DFW reported.

Angela Luckey, mother of the boy, said Townsend's dismissal has exposed the level of pressure kids face as they study to pass the upcoming basic skills tests.

Luckey complained to school administrators and also filed an assault case with the Grand Prairie Police Department. 

“I was upset and I was angry,” Luckey said. Police are investigating the assault complaint.

“Student welfare and safety is our number one priority. This conduct is unacceptable and does not represent the caliber of our teaching staff," said Grand Prairie Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Susan Hull in a statement.

CBS DFW was unable to reach Townsend for comment. She had been at Truman for two years.