Dive Brief:

• A Detroit high school teacher was fired for reportedly hitting a student several times with a broom while attempting to break up a fight.  
• Tiffani Eaton contends the classroom walkie talkie was broken, stopping her from calling security.  
• Support for Eaton has grown since a cell-phone video of the incident made its way online, depicting a somewhat dangerous situation where she had very few intervention options.  

Dive Insight:

While the Detroit Education Achievement Authority's statement argues that Eaton was terminated because the district "seeks to promote a safe environment for its students and staff, and accordingly, does not, and will not tolerate any inappropriate conduct," it does not address the fact that its technology and walkie talkies connected to security were not working and how that affects school safety.

The event has implications on a national level, as it highlights the responsibility of teachers to ensure school safety, as well as administrators to guarantee systems are in place to support the teachers, students, and overall campus well-being.