A Boston public schools teacher used her body as a shield to protect a student who was being attacked by three teenage girls, one of whom jumped off a small ledge onto the teacher and kicked her while she lay defenseless on the ground, police said in a report.
The teacher, whose name and age were redacted in the report, works at the Young Achievers Science and Math Pilot School in Mattapan. Around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, a female student was attacked by three girls outside the school. It was not clear from the report whether the girls attended the school.
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The teacher was escorting a student when the attack began, police wrote.
“All three suspects were observed ... repeatedly punching with closed fists [the teacher] while she was attempting to shield the [student] with her body as they were both on the ground defenseless,” police wrote. “Both victims took a brunt of multiple blows to the head and face area while down. [A suspect] was observed jumping off a small ledge then kicking” the teacher.
The teacher and student were each taken to a hospital. Their injuries were not considered life-threatening. No arrests were reported.
On Wednesday, the school department denounced the attack.
“We are shocked and deeply saddened by this news. All Boston Public Schools community members deserve to feel safe and free from bullying and violence. Nothing is more important than the safety of our children and staff and providing our young people with a learning environment that makes them feel physically and emotionally safe, respected, and academically challenged,” officials said in a statement. “We are grateful to the school staff, BPS Safety Services, and the Boston Police for their quick response. We will not tolerate any forms of violence or aggression within our community.”
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John R. Ellement can be reached at john.ellement@globe.com. Follow him @JREbosglobe.