I am totally freaked out by all the people in this thread who think it's acceptable for a teacher to throw things at his students. What is wrong with you guys? "Someone did it to me" is not a justification. There are multiple issues at play here. First, this sounds like a completely inappropriate level of reaction to the infraction- the student asked for a notecard and the teacher started yelling at her to get out. Then, when the student thought the teacher was joking, the teacher threw a book at her. How is that an appropriate or even rational level of escalation? At all? Second, the teacher is an adult at work. He is supposed to be acting professionally because he's in the workplace. The student is not. Third, the balance of power between student and teacher makes this violence especially inappropriate. When an authority figure who is responsible for you (which a teacher is in a situation involving minors) gets violent, you have pretty much no immediate recourse because that person is in charge of you. Would anybody here be cool with their boss throwing a book at them in a meeting? If not, this shouldn't be okay either. In fact, it's worse, because while your boss has authority over you, they do not have the incredible authority of being an adult while you are still considered a child, and you have the option of leaving their employ. A student does not usually have this recourse.

By the way, for all you "kids are jerks, teaching is soooo hard it justifies this" folks, I am also a teacher. I would never throw something at one of my students, even if they were being much more disruptive than this girl reportedly was. If you find yourself feeling justified in intentionally humiliating, yelling, screaming, throwing things at your students and/or hitting them, it's probably time to hang it up. Even if you have no moral qualms about it (which, btw, is f-ed up), hurting, humiliating, and intimidating your students is not an effective strategy for creating an environment in which they feel safe to actively or enthusiastically engage in the learning process. You know what creates a good learning environment? Stability. Clear and consistent expectations. Boundaries which are enforced clearly and calmly by the teacher. An atmosphere in which it feels emotionally safe to speak up without being afraid of making mistakes. So, you know, volatile and random outbursts of rage and violence? Not particularly good at fostering that environment.

Sorry there's news here? Maybe that someone overreacted to the point of calling the cops on what sounds like a non-event. I called this teacher in my mind before I got to the part it says he came from NHHS, where I graduated 7 years ago. That just is the way this great teacher is, and that he flung a small paperback book across the room is literally a non event. Attempting to conflate this by including the dictionary reference is bullshit. I am completely confident, knowing this teacher, that the book he flung had no possibility of inflicting any serious harm, and that it smacking her hand was both an accident and a complete non-event.

Dear the Stranger,

As a Nathan Hale student, I would like to clarify that the book never hit or hurt the student in any way. It in fact fell a good distance short of the student, according to the 20+ student witnesses in the class at the time. Many efforts have been made at Nathan Hale to bring our beloved, if sometimes zealous teacher, back from his indefinite suspension. I find it unfortunate that a newspaper that I both respect and learn from has inaccurately reported this incident.

Love,
Nathan Hale Student #6256143

I would like to know why the principal felt compelled to call the police?
I have a kid at this school and this guy is an excellent teacher. This has been overblown.
I mean really... the police???? Get a grip. Bureaucrats are big in Seattle Public Schools. A little common sense and good interpersonal skills might have fixed this situation.

I was also in class that day. no more than 4 feet from the student, in fact. It didn't hit her at all, not even in the hand. Everyone in the class, including the girl thought it was funny and I cannot believe how out of proportion this has been blown. He is one of my favorite teachers and everyone in our class is eagerly awaiting his return. #freegreenway

The principal of Nathan Hale, Jill Hudson, strikes me as strongly opinionated and grudge holding. She gives out a very negative vibe and and is not liked by any of the students. In every experience I have had with her, her purpose has seemed to be intimidation. I am a student at the school and even though I did not have Mr. Greenway as a teacher, every single person I have talked to who has had him liked him and thought he was a great teacher. I have heard that the principal has been trying to get rid of him for a long time because he goes against her close-minded view of what a good teacher is.

This teacher is the very best of what Nathan Hale has to offer. As a recent grad, let me assure you that this article is an ill report of his character. This teacher knows that there is something sacred about the classroom environment. Something that must be respected and preserved: A serious learning atmosphere.

To those students who think that their high school classes don't matter... think again. Pay attention, savor the time you have there, and for heaven's sake, give your teachers the respect they deserve.