Mesquite ISD substitute teacher fired after allowing students to fight at middle school

A Mesquite ISD substitute teacher was fired after allowing — and reportedly encouraging — students to fight one another at Kimbrough Middle School.

A district spokeswoman identified the substitute as Natally Garcia and confirmed Saturday that she was terminated over the incident “immediately.” Efforts to reach Garcia on Saturday were unsuccessful.

A student at the school captured the incident on video obtained by KXAS-TV (NBC5). In the footage, desks can be seen pushed to the side of the classroom as pairs of students fight. The teacher is heard threatening to confiscate students’ phones if she sees anyone filming.Some students left the classroom bleeding, NBC5 reported.

According to a statement from Mesquite ISD obtained by the station, the teacher outlined rules for the fights and instructed one student to monitor the door.

“Her actions are appalling and intolerable,” the statement said.

The district did not say when the incident took place, but NBC5 reported that the termination occurred Thursday.

Mesquite police said the incident is being investigated but no arrests had been made as of Friday night.