Argument escalates into fight when substitute teacher confiscates cell phone at Rocky Mount High

Police and Nash County Public Schools (NCPS) learned there was an altercation between a juvenile student and a substitute teacher over the confiscation of a cell phone. The fight occurred between the end of first period and the start of Connections Intervention period, according to NCPS.

Video sent to WRAL News shows the two arguing over the phone when the encounter escalates.

"Why does the rules not apply to everybody else?" said the student. "That's my phone."

The substitute teacher, identified by police as Xaviera Steele, responds, "it does apply to everybody."

"No. You did not keep nobody else phone," said the student, who appears to attempt to grab the phone from the substitute teacher's hand as she's making a phone call.

"Don't touch me," the substitute teacher goes on to say several times. The confrontation then gets physical with the two swinging at each other and the substitute teacher ending up on top of the student.

The substitute teacher has been with the school system for approximately a year. As of Monday afternoon, no charges have been filed.

It's not known what happened in the moments leading up to the video.

NCPS policy states that "if an employee is attacked by a student, the employee has the right to reasonably restrain the student and defend themselves to the point that they are free of the threat or attack." As far as cell phone use goes, the policy code notes that "administrators may authorize individual students to use wireless communication devices for personal purposes when there is a reasonable need for such communication."

No injuries were reported. Police and the school system are investigating.

Substitute teacher Bettie Atcherson spoke with WRAL News about how she approaches tense situations in the classroom.

"As the adult, you have to contain yourself and not let them take you that far," Atcherson said.

If you're kind to kids, even the toughest kids, if you're kind to them and show that you love them are concerned about their well-being ... 9 times of 10, you won't have a lot of problems," Atcherson said. "But there are always exceptions."