MEDFORD, Mass. — Days after a student was stabbed in a videotaped fight at Medford High School, a special education teacher recounted a previous incident of violence where she said a student left her with a serious injury to her face.
The alleged attack happened on December 22, 2021, according to a Medford police report reviewed by 25 Investigates.
Jennifer Campbell taught a post-secondary special education class for students with moderate to severe disabilities. She said a 21-year-old student became agitated and attacked her during an off-campus outing.
“He got me just in the right spot of my jaw and with enough force that it popped,” she said.
Campbell became emotional when talking about her injuries. “The pads that hold your jaw in place were dislocated. And pushed forward,” adding, “I still to this day can’t eat normally. I can’t talk normally.”
Campbell said her direct supervisor at Medford High School told her not to report the assault to the police. When she did file a police report she requested that the student not be charged.
Campbell said she had reported previous outbursts by the student in the weeks leading up to the attack.
She reviewed a printout of the previous incidents she documented. One entry referenced the student going after her neck and throat, another mentions the student trying to close her foot in a door.
When asked if her concerns were taken seriously, she said, “I actually was pulled into the office and told not to do incident reports for any behaviors that you may see in his behavior plan.”
Campbell said she requested that the student be removed from her class after the assault but he returned just days later.
She said she stopped teaching at Medford High in January 2022 on the advice of her doctor.
25 Investigates shared Campbell’s concerns with the Medford Superintendent’s office.
In a statement, a spokesperson wrote, “The safety and security of the students and staff of the Medford Public Schools is our first priority. The former employee’s specific allegations contain significant inaccuracies. We have no additional comment.”
Campbell continues to teach special education in a neighboring district.
She said another surgery on her jaw is scheduled for next month.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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