![](https://assets.vice.com/content-images/contentimage/147668/Substitute.jpg)
Advertisement
Santa Monica's school superintendent, Sandra Lyon, immediately suspended the teacher and, in a strongly worded letter to parents, called Black’s behavior “alarming” and “unacceptable.” But she's had to change her story twice since then. Parents felt that the kids in the background sound like they’re on Black’s side, and it doesn't look like Black is throwing any punches. Now thousands of people are liking a Facebook page called “We Support Coach Black of Samohi.”So cue a "national conversation” about when teachers can physically hit, shove, or restrain students. Our collective understanding has been for a while that teachers are never allowed to lay a hand on any student for any reason, but I know that's not completely true, because one of these incidents is deeply embedded in my family history.
Advertisement
![](https://assets.vice.com/content-images/contentimage/147682/Screenshot-2014-04-09-14-24-28.jpg)
Advertisement