Last Updated: Friday, 2:11 p.m.
A teacher at Buddy Taylor Middle School who got into an argument with a student over the student repeatedly playing music on his computer and calling him a name is at the Flagler County jail after violently removing the student from his seat and the classroom, and throwing him into the hallway.
The 14-second video a student captured in the classroom is brief but stark: a man who appears to be Jeffrey Allen Paffumi, the teacher at Buddy Taylor known as Rocco, snatches the 14-year-old student out of his seat by grabbing his right arm, lifts him out, hooks the student’s left arm with his own left arm from behind–what the student described as a choke hold–lifts him off his feet, then carries him across the room, telling the student: “Show me how tough you are. You want to call me a cracker?”
Paffumi then appears to use the boy’s body to open the classroom door, shoving him away from the classroom and into the hall.
Another student caught the incident on video and sent the video clip to the student’s father. (See the video below.)
On Wednesday afternoon, Paffumi, 47, was arrested on a battery charge and incarcerated at the Flagler County jail, where he remains on no bond at the time this story initially published.
The student told Flagler County Sheriffs’s deputies that he was playing music on his computer during first period, in Paffumi’s class. Paffumi went to his desk and himself muted the student’s computer. The student un-muted it. Paffumi muted it one or two more times, then held the computer over the student’s head.
“Put my shit down cracka,” the student said he told the teacher.
“I am not a cracka,” the teacher said (in the spelling used in Paffumi’s arrest report.)
“You is a cracka,” the 14 year old student told the 47-year-old teacher.
The student said Paffumi then grabbed him and threw him out. The student said his breathing was never impeded. The student said he was not injured.
The boy’s father told Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies that what the boy had allegedly said was wrong, but wanted to pursue charges.
The sheriff’s office says it’s unclear who shot the video. There are very few students in the class: other than the alleged victim, just three are visible in the video, plus the student who shot it. What students were interviewed by deputies said they had not witnessed the incident, though the video show one student clearly putting his hands on his head as he and another student kept their eyes trained on Paffumi as he trailed across the room.
Paffumi voluntarily spoke with deputies. “That student,” he said, referring to him by name, “was being disobedient and not doing what he was supposed to do.” He said the student refused to turn down the music, then rapped out loud, and when the teacher went to mute the music again, the student allegedly slapped his hand away and turned the music back up. Then he called him names.
Then the student was upset and stood up, according to the teacher. “I then treated him like any unruly student and grabbed him safely so he couldn’t hurt himself or anybody else.” There is no indication in the video or in the student’s statements to deputies that he was intending to hurt himself or others.
The teacher told deputies he pushed the student once outside the classroom “to separate themselves in case he was mad and could not hit me.”
The teacher said he “heard the word cracka and it wasn’t a big deal because he is half-white and Polynesian,” according to the arrest report. The teacher said he did not think the student was fighting back “and if he did, he did not feel it.”
A school district spokesman did not respond to phone calls or texts Wednesday evening. Thursday morning, he wrote in an email that Paffumi has been a district employee since 2005, and at Buddy Taylor Middle School since August 2008, as an exceptional student education support facilitator. “His current status is he was placed on administrative leave immediately once we learned of the incident. We are currently investigating the classroom incident and will be handling this in accordance with School Board and union policies and procedures regarding employee conduct,” the spokesman wrote.
Paffumi twice faced charges in Flagler in 2012, including a battery charge, when adjudication was withheld. In that incident, he was observed by several witnesses striking another man in the face several times, according to his arrest report at the time. He’d claimed someone had taken his drink. The same year he faced a criminal mischief charge following an encounter with law enforcement during which he was “very angry and aggressive toward law enforcement on scene,” according to his arrest report. “This is the second time I personally have had to deal with Jeffrey when he is intoxicated, screaming and yelling at” his wife, the law enforcement officer reported in Paffumi’s arrest report.
“As a teacher you have to control your temper even when students test you,” Sheriff Rick Staly said in a release. “This is an unfortunate incident involving a teacher and a student. My daughter is a school teacher and I know from her how misbehaved some students can be but as a teacher you must deal with it appropriately. Corporal punishment like the old days is not allowed today.”
Flagler Schools Superintendent Jim Tager in the same release said “The actions of this teacher are not consistent with how we expect our educators to act and behave and it will not be tolerated. We immediately removed Mr. Paffumi from the classroom following the incident and placed him on leave pending an investigation. I have stressed to my
executive team the importance of handling this investigation with the utmost seriousness it deserves. I also understand a video shows only a portion of a particular incident, so this investigation will encompass the incident in totality and not just what was captured on a camera.”
FlaglerLive relies on a strong core of donors. But they’re just a fraction of the 25,000 readers who daily depend on FlaglerLive for reliable, fearless reporting and analysis you cannot get anywhere else. If you’re still on the sidelines, we need you to join the Friends of FlaglerLive today. Elections, storms, the latest catastrophe - when dependable and factual local reporting will be more essential than ever, take a stand for integrity and have a direct voice in fostering serious journalism in your community. As little as $10 makes a difference, or better still, become a monthly donor: Become a "Friend of" FlaglerLive, a 501(c)(3) non-profit news organization. Donations are tax deductible. Think of it as buying a "scoop", in every sense of the term!
Reader Interactions
Comments
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Brian Goyétt-LaFountaine says
I know this student. I do NOT know the teacher, but I have witnessed as well has heard from others, that his unruly behavior, especially towards elders, those in authority, including family members and law enforcement, etc, have become a major concern and have heard (unfortunately) the phrase, “He will be in prison by the time he is twenty one” or another I will refrain from repeating, from those around him, including peers his own age when out of ear shot. Regardless of the teacher. It could be two wrongs, but school isn’t the place to listen or exhibit rap (or any music) it’s to sit, listen and learn, so that you end up having more choices for a career other than being a rapper, a “Baby Daddy” or inmate! Most of those “Crackas” are trying to offer you a good life when Dr. Dre doesn’t sign you to a record deal fool! I say to the father… Count your blessings, look at where YOU failed instead of worrying about filing a case. It will just start him on the road to live off taxpayers (Since it will be then paying any damages). Why learn and earn something when you can instigate a “Cracka” and get paid for it. SMH
Anonymous says
Very well said, that’s 100% true.
Lala says
Wow u should’ve even spoke most of what u said could be taking very wrong and at the end of the day it’s just not your place to judge or say wrong is wrong as a teacher u should be able to control yourself of whatever comes your way right.. You should not sign up for it if u going to feed the negative I mean come on. He had no right touching the child no matter what he said to him period!!! So for that all that u talking you shouldn’t cause he a TEACHER and he’s a STUDENT duh!!! So yes the students may learn the hard way but not for that teacher to do what he did was right..If u feel u going to be on a child level then don’t teach just saying cause if it was my child I’m pressing charges too cause a child should feel safe at school not harmed….
Roswell says
I was jumped by a student over a cell phone. Luckily the class took pictures instead of helping me. I got worker’s compensation and chose another profession. If she hadn’t hit first I probably would have done the same thing as this gentleman. She ended up in jail a few years later.
Peg Neuhengen says
That student & his parents” should be grateful I” wasn’t his teacher. One time he disrespected me he would be out or his parents called to the school to pick him up EVERY time he caused trouble. They soon would get tired coming to school Parents give these kids permission to do what they want without consequences & they know it. Parents in my time always sided with the teacher & we were punished if they heard about if we were disrespectful. People say the teachers should control yourself Ha H Ha with 20 to 30 kids in a class why don’t you volunteer for a week to find out how to do that. We are asking too much of our teachers God bless them.
Guy Fawkes says
I ALSO KNOW this student, and not the teacher. I feel it is important to note that I am NOT a student, and considering the “racial ferver” already being associated with this incident, I’d like to clarify…I am white. You say, “regradless of the teacher”…REALLY? A teacher with an arrest record of battery? THAT is a “regardless” point? I think not. I am familiar enough with this student to know he suffers from a mental disability. While YOU “pretend” to “know” him…I actually know myself that he (the student) suffers from ADHD. Perhaps that means little to you, but it is a debilitating condition requiring medication, that he takes daily. It doesn’t matter WHAT this CHILD has done! What this teacher’s response was, was completely uncalled for! But the FACT is, that the child did nothing but verbally disrespect the teacher, big f***ing deal, he did not THREATEN the teacher, either verbally OR physically, and was actually SITTING at his desk! Yet the teacher found the need to lift him out of his seat by his neck? For “calling him a name”? Seriously? What world do we live in where THAT is ok?! And what world do we live in where listening to “Racist Brian” here…with his comments of ‘Baby Daddy’, etc, are ok??…well…let’s be honest…this entire comment I am responding to is nothing more than racial propaganda. And extremely weak at that! THEN you attack the child’s father? ‘Brian’…you…are…PITIFUL!
SteveWard says
Then the Family should put him in a better situation that serves his malady versus disrupting say MY childs Education at the cost of him and his Family
Bill says
I agree
Pat67 says
Agreed. I have been in and out of the school systems enough to know that although this teacher was wrong and should have called the front to get the sheriff, these kids pose a threat and deterrent to our kids who want to not only learn in peace but also not be exposed to this enabling forced on to the school system. My kids see these so called special kids laugh their asses off after any punishment which most times is a joke because again the school is afraid of them and the parents! These kids are on meds but they very well know what they are doing. There are special schools equipped to handle kids like him with experienced teachers and more authority present. They are further away most times but make it happen. I’m sick of my kids having to deal with these punks and parents who think it’s ok to be more than disrespectful!
BA says
Then you have no concept of inclusion of disability children in the classroom. This “teacher” was meant to be an Exceptional Student Education facilitator, a role that involves providing support to other teachers and to students identified as disabled. So he failed at his job and assaulted a student because he was offended. Maybe YOUR family should pay to go to PRIVATE school and stop standing up for the bullies that harm children.
Pat67 says
Ya ok so put the burden on us parents who live day by day many times To make ends meet and still manage to raise decent human beings, have to pay the price both monetarily and physically! You are the problem with what’s going on in most of the schools. You are the enabler. There is such a thing as inclusion and there is such a thing as students going too far. Have you even walked the halls of this school? There is a fine line and when they get to be this age trust me I’ve seen it these kids on the so-called spectrum laugh at the teachers and the aids, many times right at their faces and it continues out to the hallways! This kid also has passed record of trouble in the school and within the classrooms. My kids go there and they have witnessed it! When is enough!
Elcee says
The school failed for putting this student in a situation where he ruins the education of others around him. Even if this didn’t escalate – he was clearly being a nuisance and distraction. Why would my kids have to accommodate a student with issues. There are other schools for kids that need help behaving. He should be going to those schools so the kids that want to learn don’t have to have this kid disrupt the class every time he wants attention. The teacher should have just dealt with it unfortunately because the school set everyone in the class for failure by putting that problem child in there with the rest of the students with potential.
Bill says
Im so over this “inclusion” BS. Why do the KIDS who want to be in class, learn things and move on to a productive life for them-self have to be disrupted and have THEIR education suffer?? Why because some believe its more important to not make little ____ fill in the blank be in a class they can not keep up with OR as on this case have NO desire to be in and learn a darn thing.
K.Paxton says
Yes! Incidents like this disrupt the education of ALL the other children in the room. If I were the parent of one of the other students in that classroom, I would be incensed by how my child’s education has been interrupted and halted by this student. Furthermore, if the child has a learning disability (ADHD) that affects his behavior in the classroom, it’s up to the school district to make sure he is accompanied by certified SPED personnel, or place him in an environment where he doesn’t disrupt the education of the others. Mainstreaming isn’t the best solution for every student.
The teacher’s response is regrettable, but the parent should understand that EVERYBODY has a limit. The student’s usage of the term, “cracka” was YES, disrespectful and YES, racist. It has zero place in the classroom. The teacher should have phoned an administrator to remove the child from class.
Concerned says
I was diagnosed with ADHD as a child. I did NOT disrupt class like this child. ADHD is NOT an excuse nor is it a “debilitating condition”. It is easily treated with medication. In my opinion as someone who was diagnosed with ADHD in 90 percent of the cases the diagnoses is just an excuse for a misbehaving or lazy child. That said even if this kid does have ADHD the medication treats it very well. Why should this child be allowed to disrupt the rest of the class? Removing the child from class was not the first thing the teacher did. He tried multiple times to get this kid to comply. Then he physically removed him. He didn’t punch him or assault him, he removed him from class.
Pat67 says
Thank you for speaking up and speaking the truth. And I was insulted for those that truly have been diagnosed with a D HD when some moron decided to say that it was debilitatingso I can’t imagine how it was for those that do have it.
Jon Doe says
Agree. He was teaching. Kid was disruptive. Get the kid out of the room. Looks like something a police officer would do to a non compliant person. Send that kid to special education classes. Or special school for kids unable to follow simple class rules. Serious students want to learn.
Brian Goyétt-LaFountaine says
I’m black you idiot! I just am not brainwashed and choose not to be racist in return, remember what Dr. King tried to say, judge us on our actions and it skin. We don’t get a pass because we are black. It’s called equal rights, not special rights! Try it. I never said the teacher was in the right, did I? We give too many of these want-to-be MTV/BET/MUCH MUSIC THUGS too much leeway because of race. It’s a school. Teachers should act like teachers, students should act like students and parents should act like parents!
SOMEONE IN PC says
@Guy Fawkes- You are so right on! Thank you for your comment and for coming out on the defense of the student who obviously has issues. Thank you for shedding some light on this student’s background. And most importantly thank you for not taking the teacher’s side ONLY because his skin color looks like yours. Thank you for standing up to RACISM! The majority who are taking the teacher’s side is simply because he is white and the student is black. I am neither white nor black HOWEVER, the RACIST comments on this site are so prevalent and it is pretty scary and REALLY PATHETIC that people are defending an Abusive BULLY who is a FELON and who should NEVER have been permitted near ANY child. He is a DANGER to our society. And to those who continue to comment on how being a teacher is not an easy job etc….CHOOSE A DIFFERENT CAREER! LEAVE THAT JOB TO THOSE THAT TRULY CARE ABOUT CHILDREN. IT IS BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU THAT OUR COUNTRY IS A MESS AND INSTEAD OF WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE THIS PLACE BETTER FOR OUR FUTURE YOU ARE TAINTING IT WITH YOUR NEGATIVITY AND CONTINUED RACIST LIFESTYLES. You would much rather defend anyone whether in the right or wrong just because of the color of their skin- SHAME ON ALL OF YOU!
OwnerOfOpinions says
@SOMEONE IN PC wow, someone really should remove the caps lock button from your keyboard, my eyes hurt. Regardless, you’re wrong. It’s the parents’ fault for putting this problematic kid in a school of normal students. If he’s going to disrupt a class like he did, he might as well leave. The teacher had every right to react, as I believe you would, no matter what you’re preaching on here.
Safely carrying a kid outside of a classroom (kid said himself he was not harmed and could breathe at all times, before his father denied it only to get money), is not a dangerous act, it is simply a way of showing the kid that actions have consequences. It is clear that making them stay after class has no effect.
OwnerOfOpinions says
If the guy has ADHD, he should be sent to a facility. I don’t care whether he’s black or white. He was disrupting a class, and the teacher gave him more than enough chances. In my book, verbal disrespect isn’t as little of a deal as you say it is, especially towards an elder, and someone who is not your friend but to teach you. The teacher could’ve reacted differently, but we need to remember the kid was not harmed, he was simply removed from the classroom. It is very obvious just by seeing the kids of today that speaking to them is not as effective as corporal punishment. The teacher did the right thing. Take your wokeness together with all those disgusting dots and capital letters and shove them right back up your ass.
Mary says
I applaud Buddy Taylor for getting the racist trouble maker out of the class room.
we need more teachers like him.
Florida is shot out so much crime because these type of kids grow up and get away with crime the judges will let felons back out on the streets
Joshua says
I dont know the student or the teacher but i have Tourettes and ADHD and i can say that things like this happened to me all the time before i got diagnosed with with either of the disabilities. Being lifted out of my chair by my arms was just the tip of the iceberg. No one knew what what was wrong with my uncontrollable behavior and neither did i or my mother. Who’s to say this kid is being a “Billy Badass” or suffering from mental issues as i was at his age.
Kendal Martin says
I agree with the teacher, if the parents don’t like it they should enroll him somewhere else, rules are rules, we will not have teachers in school if they keep filing charges on teachers trying to keep unruly or disruptive kids from disrupting class. If you let one it will only get worse. Good job Buddy!!! This is when you find out if your school board is good, or a push over.
Betta In Hawaii says
Thank you for your perspective, but I disagree about the ‘two wrongs.’ It’s not wrong to teach this disrespectful nuisance a lesson. The best teachers that I had, as well as my parents, when I was that young man’s age, would have ‘minimally’ done the same as that teacher and likely more, had I ever disrespected either as that young man did. This is the problem with today’s society. We’re so panicked at the thought of incidents like this. The greatest teacher I ever knew was a P.E. teacher who taught at one of the roughest schools (which I attended). If you mouthed off to him, he’d stuff you in a locker. And he did just that to many idiot kids, and you know what? They ‘all’ came to not only respect him, but to actually love him. He was incredibly popular. ‘Not’ because he was always nice. But because he was tough, demanding, and consistent. He was one of the greats. Unafraid. Willing to teach kids the greatest lesson… to respect others. The difference back then? Those students he’d stuff in a locker would ‘never’ tell their fathers, because if they did, then their dads would have done worse to them. Back then, our parents would tell our teachers if we ever got out of line, to set us straight. They ‘backed’ the teachers. Today? The parents sue and file charges. This is the problem. In addition to this disrespectful student, he has a dad who has not done ‘his’ job to raise a respectful son, and then has the audacity to file charges. What’s he doing? Setting him up for the day when it won’t be a teacher but a police officer? What is wrong with America is we let this disrespect serve as something that teachers just have to deal with. Absolutely ridiculous. We are enabling generations of losers. Bravo to this teacher. He shouldn’t be punished. He should be given an award! For he has the ‘guts’ to do what is right, what this student’s father didn’t do. Don’t change, Rocco, seriously. We need more like you, and ‘we,’ society, need to recognize this. Free Rocco!
Pat67 says
Exactly. Truth all around. We knew better and thankfully my kids know better. But they are a huuuuuge minority!
Normally two wrongs don’t make a right but what my kids SEE and have to deal with at the school, this time I applaud the aide! The disrespect is even in kindergarten, first grade 2nd grade etc and it just keeps going until they get as big as you are and most of the times overpower our kids as well as the teachers! Most would be appalled if they took time to volunteer in these schools including elementary! If it gets to the point that they can’t be helped when they are little, and trust me you should see what goes on in the elementary schools, then the parents should have to find another resource and place for their now teenager to attend! This inclusion BS Has to stop when it’s getting in the way of decent kids pining for a peaceful education and even some calm when it comes to changing classes or being in the lunchroom!
Not PC says
You got it straight! Crackas tryin’ to get you a better life. Every parent, family member, student and especially school administration needs to help those crackas do a job. Otherwise, no one will be there!
d says
where do you think he gets it from? Children’s behavior against authority, teachers, even their own parents starts at home, The kid sounds angry and privileged along with getting the wrong kinda cultural education at home…I guess everyone is at fault except him…well done Dad..not condoning teacher behavior however the kid was disruptive to the class as a whole and needed to be removed, which I’m sure would have been very difficult no matter how it was handled, just by the kids’ tone and original behavior, I guess the kid wanted to prove to his peeps who was boss in that situation by name-calling an ethnic slur if it was reversed it would play out so different now and days SMH..I feel for the educators as they are there to help kids grown and learn and become the best they can be and be productive individuals in a civilized society…Then you have those who are going to have a long and hard road like this kid…sad
Steve says
What should have happened was his coward Father should have whipped his useless ass for being disrespectful in School period. I say well done Teach. Expel the punk . He is a distraction.
Outsider says
I took my daughter out of that school four years ago because of students like this one who made it impossible to learn. The student showed complete disrespect for the teacher. He reaped what he sowed and now he’s crying to Daddy. Grow up, tough guy.
anonymous says
Love it!!! I was an intercity teacher for 35 years,,, this is no joke,, this behavior is so serious,, this kid did not need to be in that classroom. The only thing to do is call security and let them do their job. Sometimes they don’t show or the principal says you need to have better control of your class. Bull!!! Yes this is the worst of the worst in teaching. The teacher just wants to teach. We need way more help with this type of kid. I see that the teacher may have a temper and I get that. It is so hard to just go with the flow,, let the other kids suffer but try to get security involved. Sorry these things happen more often than you think,
I like: “Grow up tough guy”
Karen says
I home school because of kids like this. Phones should not be aloud in the classrooms and students should not be listening to music disrupting the learning process. If the teacher sends them out of the class then administrators want to know why they can’t control their class. It’s because these kids have no respect for anyone and they know they can get away with it.
Pattie says
Amen!!!
I thank god every day my daughter is home safe without drama or having a punk like this in her class. Even if she’s in ap she still has to deal with them in the hallways.
Parents need to be held accountable not rewarded!
Bootyboi55 says
You’re praising a manchild that assaulted a child. You do realize that, right?
Darryl Roark says
This student was disrespectful to class and teacher and refused the request and even dared the teacher. The teacher request many times for student to stop and student slapped at teacher hand. I think if the parents refuse to teach a child to have respect they should be thankful the teacher tried. If a while child called a black teacher n word they would have suspended the student indefinitely and charged him for slander. Hey teacher start a go fund me page and we will help with your expenses.
Not PC says
That’s one of the most restrained and adult responses I’ve ever seen. That so called “child” was threatening the teacher and calling him racial slurs. He was disrupting the class and causing an inhospitable environment for every person in that class. Your point again was what Bootyboi??
James Tuthill says
Well said , thank you for your honest and real comment.
Substitute teacher says
Thank you ! Right on ,from a substitute teacher .
Richard Duncan says
No respect for authority; it’s amazing how are educators are treated by students. If it were my kid, I would have apologized rather than pressing charges. Perhaps his parents can still intervene and prevent him from ending up in the prison system.
Steve says
There is no amount of money that can be paid to deal with the disrespectful juveniles in the education system. Yes the educator lost his cool, and his career is over but I am sure he will be thankful in the end to be out of Flagler School District.
I agree his father needs to be more concerned with his punk of a kid than filing charges.
Steve Ward says
Its 100% Special Needs He needs Parents to be adults. Its not part time lifestyle.t
Not PC says
It shouldn’t have even gone this far. That teacher should be given props and support, not punishment! The parents of the other kids in that room are probably glad he took action! He did the right thing.
Probably not. says
I wonder if this would have happened if the student put the music down in the first place…? Hmmmmm………
Anonymous says
Probably would not have happened, if this kid listened to begin with!
Name (required) says
Nope. These students are given ZERO understanding at home that they are there for education, not their own disruptive entertainment. That is the issue. Poor teachers just trying to instill values and societal respect to a group of ungratefuls. It’s a tall hill to climb. And fruitless, at that.
Jerry says
I agree my kid goes to buddy taylor and if that were him he would of been apologizing not pressing charges. My kids are taught better than that.
Pat67 says
Sadly mine too and are so frustrated with the crap they hear in not only the hallways but in class as well. The principal is trying but it’s like we need at least 5 principles and a cop at every hallway.
Concerned citizen says
Student disrespect is rampant and should NOT be tolerated by teachers.
The teacher did what he needed to do.
Another option would have been for the teacher to call the law enforcement officer to have the student removed.
The father is enforcing disrespectful behavior. I do not know anyone involved.
but, parents need to teach their kids to RESPECT those in authority.
Disgraceful student, no respect for authority… wonder what is modeled at home?
SteveWard says
Negative Reinforcement.
Optimist Prime says
As the son of a 35 year tenured educator with her last 2 years spent at this school, who subsequently bailed on the students (yes gave up on) the students she met. yes. Why? They’re hopeless. So much for your teacher giving you her home phone number to help with homework, when parents cant be, and (literally incapable) of doing their part. What did the “children” do? They harassed and prank called her home, called her “pizza face” on her answering machine, to hear when coming home after a hard days work… School isn’t daycare. Parents might understand that they respect you, but do they respect others?? Watched my mother cry because she cared about you’re hateful little angels…. Your kid is an a**hole. There’s one in every classroom. Yours is the a**hole. Fix it at home, and don’t spread your ingrate attitudes around the rest of society. Remember….. you’re the one who’s supposed to discipline your kid. Others are there to get their learn on and go to college. (And they will) Not your goal? Then deal. No wonder there isn’t a soul on earth, for Any amount of money that wants to put up with your poorly raised, disrespectful kids and this system of child endearment. The Charlotte, NC. Museum of worlds historical school discipline should be a tour for every student in America. They’d wake up quickly. Especially Palm Coast. These people (and their kids) have shown themselves as total animals on occasion. You want an animal? Paffumi just showed you one. Get your sh*t together. Stand up and embrace the love of civility and respect. Sorry, but the “ minor” card doesn’t work the way it once did. Honestly, These schools should be filled with “Rocko” Paffumis, FACT. Some of you parents should put up, or shut up, sadly, this kid clearly doesn’t understand the ACTUAL opportunities he’s been afforded. Maybe it’s time people understand that. He’s being given a FREE education. Like … REALLY?? So dumb.
Pat67 says
Optimus prime I am so sorry to hear of the bullying and horrific treatment your mother endured. Please give her a huge hug from my family and other decent folk and thank her for her time and care. A teacher‘s job is one of the hardest on this planet besides a mother‘s job. Teachers are with most of these ingrate brats more hours than their own parents are. You are eloquent, 100% correct and yes it’s a great idea for a school trip . Instead of taking the kids to Washington they should instead take them to that place in North Carolina. That would be hard earned money better spent. We are going to see more of “Paffumi’s” style because those are the only types that are going to be willing and brave enough to deal with these punks and their parents. We won’t have to worry because our kids know better and are there to learn or at least try to. It’s the parents of the lowlife kids that they breed that are concerned. They should be thanking him, not taking the easy way out, getting their demon finally reprimanded and looking to make a dollar all at the same time. The parents should be getting charged!
Anonymous says
At the end of the day the teacher should of gotten a administrator and not have used violence. The teacher is dead wrong and the law is you can’t use force on students and he did it anyway he got what he deserved.
SteveWard says
Would you feel the same way IFF this or another Student pulled a weapon. GOD Forbid right?! So to me some deterrent preemptive disciplinary action by a Teacher within reason, and have it be known from day one, could ultimately change a young minds internal voice to do or think the said above . Correct? Come on People not one Parent wants a Teacher grabbing their kid and exit stage right but, The Parents, Society, and the Teachers/Administrators are giving up Control. Without that their is no Learning Environment.
Not PC says
I absolutely cannot agree with you. At the end of the day, at the beginning of the day, in the middle of the week, That teacher is charged with keeping every kid in that class safe. Having some out of control, foul mouth, racist punk in the classroom is NOT safe. That teacher showed amazing restraint by taking out the trash. Now, that kid and his family needs some serious therapy with parenting and behavior education.
Jackie says
I agree the teacher did show restraint. I agree with the therapy, but doubt if the parents will comply. He needs to learn that racist behavior will not be tolerated. This kid was probably shocked that the teacher did this because all the other teachers put up with his BS The other kids probably have a new found respect for the teacher. They probably didn’t like his BS either.
Elke Gallagher says
An example how bad parents raise their kids these days. Poor examples and bad home base and no notice as to how dysfunctional their kid is.
Even worth: The Dad called authorities to report the teacher for his actions??? Shame on him of raising such dysfunctional disrespectful kid and demanding actions against the teacher by authorities???
So wrong in every view!
Mom to 3 says
Sorry but the teacher is dead wrong to put hands on a student, unless it’s in self-defense. The student is nothing but a disrespectful punk.
Teaching is the hardest job on the planet. I have a ton of respect for teachers. You don’t put your hands on a student, though! This guy should never teach again. The student should be expelled. Be done with them both, so ****maybe**** the other students can learn.
Mimi81 says
The teacher is a human being and probably had enough of this kid, which was old enough to know better. I think he should get written up, but continue with his job which pays crap for the crap he has to put up with. Now the punk kids parents will sue and probably win. The teachers get no respect from kids because parents don’t do their job making them mind at home. It’s pretty sad that people think the teacher should get fired. I had three children that are grown and they never acted that way.
Pat67 says
Amen. The teachers are expected to do or continue what a parent should’ve doing at home. This kid gets away with being a punk and will probably move on to worse law breaking actions all because he has been for the parents’ sake conveniently been labeled on the spectrum!! Our kids are the victims-the ones who want to learn without stress of punks constantly interrupting the class. He obviously knew what he was doing. Only label he should have is punk and his parents are the ones that should be fined! Oh boohoo we know he shouldn’t have been disrespectful. Ya right!
Jackie says
The student should be home schooled and let the parents be responsible for his behavior. This teacher is a good guy and the kids he’s in charge of are “troubled kids” They need cameras in these rooms and have someone monitoring them so someone can intervene- these kids and their parents are ruining teachers lives
Jackie says
Expelling this kid only puts him out onto the streets of Palm Coast to commit crimes. BUT it should be demanded that he be home schooled – let his parents be responsible for his behavior!
George says
YES THE STUDENT (14 years old) WAS TOTALLY DISRESPECTFUL I AGREE 100%. BUT I’M CURIOUS TO KNOW WTF IS THIS LOW LIFE DOING WORKING IN A SCHOOL???- HE’S 40+ and a HE’S A BULLY!!! AGGRESSIVE TOWARD HIS WIFE GREAT EXAMPLE FOR KIDS!!
“Paffumi twice faced charges in Flagler in 2012, including a battery charge, when adjudication was withheld. In that incident, he was observed by several witnesses striking another man in the face several times, according to his arrest report at the time. He’d claimed someone had taken his drink. The same year he faced a criminal mischief charge following an encounter with law enforcement during which he was “very angry and aggressive toward law enforcement on scene,” according to his arrest report. “This is the second time I personally have had to deal with Jeffrey when he is intoxicated, screaming and yelling at” his wife, the law enforcement officer reported in Paffumi’s arrest report.” ….. THE LIST GOES ON AND ON RACIST PEOPLE!!!!
Mary Fusco says
You know what George? Get used to second class teachers because that is all who will even think of walking into a classroom full of disrespectful, obnoxious punks. These kids have absolutely NO respect for their parents, anyone in authority or even themselves. My daughter graduated at the top of her class with a degree in education. She QUIT and has never gone back. Now what you will get are those graduating at the bottom of their class because they are a warm body to babysit these idiots. Like my daughter stated. You try and teach the crazy kid and then meet their crazy parents and realize it cannot be done. Believe me, when my kids were in school and they got in trouble, their worst punishment would be when they got home. As a result, they are all college educated, respectful adults raising their own families. Teaching does not pay enough to deal with this crap. STOP BLAMING EVERYTHING ON RACE!!
Pat67 says
Truth! Sadly you are 10000000000% Mary. Black white green purple, all types are disrespectful and punks in the school. Unfortunately my kids still have to deal with low life peers in school and the teachers hands are tied. If a kid is disrespectful they don’t fear repercussion because there is no follow thru. It’s pathetic and unfair!
Eileen Curran says
Amen Mary!!! UCF is down 30% is the last 10 years for education majors….No one is putting up with this!
My son’s friend graduated from UF, a bright , enthusiastic teacher. She lasted one year, spend her break sitting in her car crying her eyes out to get up the courage to take more abuse to finish the day…..A UF graduate……
CB from PC says
Hey George, I would say the Black kid is the RACIST. What would happen if a White kid called a Black teacher the “N” word, and the Black teacher was arrested and about to lose his job? You would have Sharpton, Jackson and the rest of the race baiting brigade at School the following day.
Flaglerflyer says
It’s a shame that the teacher was arrested for perfectly acceptable disciple for the circumstances! This is what happens when society deems corporal punishment, etc.. to be child abuse. Kids have no fear of any real discipline and act accordingly.
This needs to change.
Bootyboi55 says
Corporal punishment IS child abuse. lol
Mary Fusco says
Apparently, today any kind of punishment is deemed child abuse. This could be why we have classrooms full of children that cannot learn because there are a few “entitled brats” that disrupt learning each and every day. Back in the stone age when I went to school, any kid that disrupted the class even one time was removed and placed in a “special” class with other troublemakers. See, back in the day, school personnel were not intimidated by big mouth parents. Hey, we all pay taxes and if a teacher is unable to teach due to the fact that they must spend most of the day disciplining, we are wasting our money. Sad situation for sure.
Meilyna Cordero says
I do not know this student but i know this teacher and i have nothing aggressive or bad to say about this teacher this teacher does not only help my but he has helped other people long before my generation as well he has provided me and other students with supplies if and when needed and provides us with everything he can possibly lend us for a great testing environment were i believe he is wrong for putting his hands on another student he has plenty of experience and would intentionally try to hurt or harm himself or others and i believe this is wrong because we are first of all given this tools to help us with school related sourses key words school related not home so there was no reason to be listening to music dont get me wrong im sure he wouldn’t have had an issue if it was at a controled volume but it was not and he has been asked multiple times to not only turn it down but to turn it off and with him not following instructions he tried to mute it and he still was not giving nor showing corporation and then repeated to go ahead and slap his hand out of the way so yes in a way i do feel the teacher is wrong but there was no place for the student to do any of what he did .
Pat67 says
Thank you for speaking the truth and showing the other side. He was wrong but not many are left to want to take on the job of dealing with impossible ingrates with jail in their future. I wish you well and continued success in your education and hope you get to learn one day in a more peaceful and respectful environment. That is and should be your right. You obviously were raised well.
Alex says
Well the teacher was totally in the wrong. Should never put his hands on the student . That’s why we have officers in the school. That being said , if the tables were turned around and a white student was calling his black teacher a N***r it would be a racist remark and possible hate crime, I know the true definition of a craka.(cracker) Ebonics right there. But its ment to be a derogatory statement when said to and about white people. Is it not ?? So this double standard crap is about at its end people are over it. And if I’m called a craka. Well let’s just say you get what you give. It’s even aloud on this flagler live page. craka . But use the N word it won’t be posted. And everyone who reads this knows it’s TRUE.
Wmalsukx says
Know and understand your history. White people were never hung from trees by black people’s hands. Words are connotations from history. To this day there are white supremist gladly wearing tshirts showing KKK members with ropes waiting to be used. 2020. White people hate the double standard of not being able to use the “N” word” but look the other way when they see obvious racist violence. Tell yourself the truth. Do the math. The only way this ever changes, is for it to go the other way. When white people fear for their daily lives, then there is a real conversation. I know that’s not what you want. You want to blame the race/ child/ parent and hold yourself above the fray. Understand that if you failed at doing your job, you should also be fired. And if you in any capacity forcibly touched a child you would and should be arrested. Florida.
Name (required) says
Remember, “Content of character.” MLK gave his whole life so that people would be judged solely by the content of their character… *or (complete lack there of, in this case.)
Not PC says
It is NOT the teacher’s job to raise your kid. The teacher’s job is to educate kids to the curriculum that is mandated by the laws of your city, county, state and country. The parents need to support these lessons at home. They also need to educate their child to be teachable.
Jim says
What are teachers suppose to do? Put-up with disrespect until a Resource Officer drags the student out of class? The father should be ashamed of notifying the sheriff and only can blame himself when the kid is in jail in the future.
ELKE GALLAGHER says
Agree. This kid obvious has not been raised to understand and to show respect. For the father to stand behind this kid? Instead he should be filled with shame and sat the kid down and punish him for this bad behavior!
Poor raised! The father should be on trial, the kid up for punishment
Longman says
Support this teacher. This kid is a bad apple.
Willy Boy says
Had a feeling that’s what the kids did with their computers in school.
JOE SCHMO says
that is nothing compared to what the nuns in school did to kids in the 60’s.
Land of no turn signals says says
Parent fail.It’s O.K. to call somebody a cracka but use the “N” word and and holy hell breaks loose.Both words should carry the same weight,just don’t use them.
COBALT 53 says
PLEASE!! PLEASE!! DO NOT FIRE THIS TEACHER!!!!
Eva says
AGREE 1000% Do Not Fire This Teacher, full stop!!! Discipline or counsel, but stand by him!! This parent should be ashamed to even dream of pressing charges. These students need to learn discipline, ADHD is not to be used as an excuse or they grow up to perpetuate a miserable life. Please help these kids learn about respect and authority!
Agkistrodon says
This is the exact reason why they should NOT have computers at school. It is not like they are teaching anything useful, like advanced programing on them. One would think after roughly 11 years of education with a computer, students would be the best coding and programming students in the world. But NOPE. Most can hardly point to China on a map, but they can text, post on social media, and play songs. And the Apple Corp is the ONLY winner as they get PAID. Sounds like the teacher may have some self cntrol issues, and maybe teaching is not his forte, especially with today’s youth, that feel they can do whatever they like. As for the mouthy student, he should be expelled, and his father should ship his little behind and teach him some respect, before he runs into the wrong person. And would not calling someone that kind of name be racist and a hate crime. After all, people seem to lose their compuncture when they hear the n word. Unless of course it is being repeated in their music………….
Greg Driscoll says
This kid is using racial comments and taking away from the other students. What the teacher did is a little aggressive but not in the wrong. Call me or my children derogatory and disrespectful things and we will put hands on you. It is verbal assault. Wonder how dad would feel if a white kid used a racial slur towards him ? The kid would be facing hate crime charges and removed from school. Flagler school district caters to the liberal black community and it’s afraid to stand up to them when they are clearly in the wrong. Willing to wager this kid ends up with serious charges against him in the future.
Priscilla Castro says
I say kudos to this teacher! I actually am familiar with this gentleman and he’s a wonderful person. These kids nowadays have no respect and old school discipline?I see nothing wrong with that! I think this man did an exceptional job and it’s unfortunate that he had to get arrested for it!!!
Sharon says
I completely agree! Some children are just not taught “respect” at home.
Percy's mother says
GOOD FOR MR. PUFFUMI!!!!
I’m terribly sorry he’s been subjected to what will become a blot on his record. He can find something else to do in life. Something more rewarding than dealing with punk losers.
The boy is a loser now and will be even more of a loser in the future. He’ll be in prison by the time he’s a young adult.
There are rules in life which parents should teach their children so their children will be successful in life. This parent isn’t doing the job. The parent will end up blaming “the system” for his son ending up a total loser. It’s easier to blame “the system” than admit you’re not living up to your responsibility as a parent. If the parent were decent, he wouldn’t allow the son to press charges.
It’s unfortunate that teachers and school administrators are barred these days from corporal punishment for punks such as this.
When I was in 7th grade, we had a math teacher, Mr. S. He was Russian, I think. Very tall. Very stern. He walked up and down the aisles with a paddle while he was teaching and asking us questions. It was so quiet in that classroom one could hear a pin drop. It was a respectful classroom, and we ALL LEARNED MATH.
Cracker Jack says
Y’all who are applauding this teacher forget that there are School Resource Officers (Trained Deputies) who are in each and every school just for situations like this. The teacher could have just as easily contacted the SRO who then could have legally escorted the child out. This guy was just looking for a reason to assuage his ego when the kid repeatedly disrespected him. With a move like that, he could have easily broken the child’s arm.
The kid was nowhere near in the right and there is something fundamentally wrong at home, but two wrongs don’t make a right either. This teacher just taught that kid that it’s OK to use force when someone insults you verbally.
Enough is enough! says
Mr. Paffumi is not a “Cracka”… He is a proud member of the Polynesian Culture (Look it up) and as a fellow Polynesian, our culture is a very family oriented and our youth respect their elders and teachers! This outrageous epidemic of students cursing and assaulting their teachers and getting away with it has to stop!
Lance Carroll says
My condolences to the educator and student. Public schools are failing the educator and the student, complicitly.
Trailer Bob says
This is where we want to be in society? When we were kids teachers used to jack us up against a wall. And that was for less than what this little punk did. SO, we make the teacher the bad guy and this kid learns a lesson…a lesson that he can disrespect authority figures with no negative results. My mother really got manhandled when she was in a religious academy run by nuns. Once a nun smacked her in the nose and then made her eat her eggs, blood and all. If you open you eyes you will see that as punishment was disallowed, children have became bolder and more disrespectful of authority.
The teacher didn’t strike this punk but forcefully removed him from the class. Look at our society today and it is pretty scary. If my kids ever did something like this punk, he or she would be punished, not the teacher.
As for the teachers previous issues, they should not be brought into this just to give the kid a break on being a punk.
But in the long run, it is the lack of proper parenting that needs to be addressed here. This kid is going to continue his bad behavior and disrespect of authority until his actions become more and more aggressive and someone is more seriously hurt or killed.
Welcome to the liberal society of today where right is left and up is down. Nice parenting…NOT!
Sandra Murphy says
This poor teacher. How much are educators supposed to take. This student should be disciplined at home and at school. Absolutely no respect. I hope this educator is cleared.
Mom of 2 Teens says
As a parent of 2 teenagers in the Flagler County middle school system, it saddens me to learn of this incident. As a single mother, I make sure I cover the roles of 2 parents, good cop, and bad cop all at the same time. I have high expectations of my children to show respect to ALL elders and they know there will be hell to pay if I hear that either one of them has disrespected a fellow classmate or any adult or person of authority.
Every school year, I make sure to reach out to my children’s teachers via email to express gratitude and tell them how I tip my hat off to them as being an educator is a hard and thankless job, even though it should be rewarding on many levels. They always know I am just a phone call/email away if they ever have any questions or concerns. Communication is key and I feel many parents don’t even know their kids teachers names, which is quite sad.
Although I do not condone the behavior of the teacher and am baffled that he is an educator based on his previous incidents, I am also very disgusted by this students behavior.
Regardless if this student has ADHD or any other learning disability, it dos not justify his unruly behavior in the classroom that my children could possibly be in trying to get an education and preparing to be OUR future.
This kids parents seriously need to get this kid under control! I have a feeling this kid now feels like he can continue to act like a fool and could be boasting how he got this teacher arrested. At the end of the day, shame on them BOTH!!
Concerned parent says
Good for that teacher! Get that disrespectful little wanna be thud out of the classroom so this man can actually teach the other students! I’m so tired of disrespectful kids that have no respect for their elders, or peers! I applaud this teacher and hope to God he’s back in the class teaching soon and this little child is taught a lesson (which most likely won’t happen sad as it is)
Sharon says
Mr. “Rocco” is and has always been an exceptional example and always has a smile on his face. For this to have happened, he must have been pushed extremely far. There are so many disrespectful students in the school system in Flagler county but all they get is a slap on the wrist which is why they continue there wreck less behavior. Good job dad on justifying this disgusting disrespect to a teacher that is essentially doing the job that you at home should be doing!
Jennifer mom of daughter says
I know this teacher and he is excellent at his job my daughter whom also on iep and gets assistance from him. She is excelling because of him. When did we start allowing this behavior and the teacher has no defense. There many of these children that at like total animals and disrespect the teachers. My daughter with her issues dont act like this. No excuses and as a nurse is attention related not behavior. That comes from how the parents are home. That is the crime. Lock up the parents and remove child not all people meant to have children. So many children dont get the help or proper guidance at home. If the child can not behave go to behavior school or the parents should be made to home school. Not fair to other students. School is turning into babysitting rather then a place to be educated. The child probably doesn’t even really have adhd. That behavior is just that lack of respect. That child dont need meds just needs a good ass whooping. Sorry. Let’s not forget we as tax payers supply those computers and as parent we all sign waver that only school related stuff be performed on them. I hold my daughter to that. So it’s not just what the child said which is racial misuse of school property and disruptive behavior. Keep in mind all the class was small because this teacher helps children like my daughter and it is not mandatory that child didnt have to go in for extra help and did obviously to just get out of class. I think teacher should press charges as student did hit teachers hand. That class is for children who really want help. And it is not to get out class and play music. Come on people. Now all the other students that want his help and truly go there for because they are raised properly and want his help because they care about school at now loosing because of 1 arrogant and disrespectful child. Not fair. ADHD has become a label for parents of children that just need there ass beat and parents that just are like as long as they dont bother me who cares dope them up. And I call that babysitter parent syndrome instead of doing there job. Be a real parent and woop his ass and teach him some respect. All u out there can hate I dont care my child now loses she not only needs his help wants his help. If that child that bad home school has no place in public school. What is wrong with society what are showing kids by any of this that can get away with this kind of crap. And the parent should have wooped his child for being like and that should have been it. Let’s face if child a ted as should and listened after repeatedly ask to be respectful this wouldn’t have happened sorry hilda and parents wrong for this. A great teacher loses because your child acts like a animal. Soon no one will be teachers as they have to fear a child can cost them there career. Or we will get teacher that just dont do anything. Very sad.
Pat67 says
Amen and very well said. Most of those kids like to be doped is kist as
Much as the parents wanting the easy resolve. Then it also creates another hurdle for children like yours that truly do have a special need yet have been brought up with care attention and the right way and yearn for education and respect. I hope she continues to excel and wish her the best. I know how something like this can set the child back. I also know how difficult it is for some to finally click with an educator. Best of luck to her and all the students. The school needs to stop worrying about not looking good denying that they have a problem and start shipping these kids away and forcing their parents to take them somewhere else. Strike three and you’re out, it shouldn’t take 12 strikes or a physical altercation.
Daveyd says
Thugafication of America
tulip says
I think I would’ve taken the computer away from him and called someone to remove him from classroom, and let an authority handle it. Too bad the school couldn’t tweak the computers to disable music.
Tired of BS in schools says
The teacher must sue the student for the racial comment.
CP says
Very simple… the unruly baby was carried out of the room. No harm done! Grow some thick skin. These kids are being raised by thugs on social media.
RCH says
Wonder why there’s a national teacher shortage?
Stretchem says
I love it!!! Don’t fire him, promote him! Create a position within the district for him, along with a Rocco speeddial hotline.
Then the very last thing any kid will want to hear from their teacher is “I’m Calling Rocco”.
Sick and tired says
It all goes back to parenting!!!! Please parents, volunteer in your child’s school to SEE what really goes in the classrooms, hallways, bathrooms etc. I think cameras should be allowed in classrooms so you can see just how angelic your children behave in class/school. You need a license to drive, own a dog (in this county), a gun, but not to have children and raise them responsibly. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Take a good look in the mirror.
Diane Matta says
Keep his disrespectful ass home do no allow him back in school . Let his dad teach him see where it lands him someday. We need big time boot camp in this town not where they go for 2 or 3 days someplace then back home to repeat and repeat.
Land of no turn signals says says
Shortage of GOOD teachers?This is a prime example why.
Flagler County is going downhill rapidly says
Obviously the schools have had nothing but trouble with these kids since ingegrating laptops and ipads into the classroom and how about looking into the correlation between the suicide rates and threats amongst teens and the electronics we have allowed. The constant access to screens is destroying the mental health of these kids and people just sit idly by and allow it because its easier than actually dealing with the kids. They dont block and confiscate the equiptment when they see the kids using them for everything they arent suppose to which creates issues such as this. The schools need to enforce their own policies regarding the equiptment they want to hand out. If a student is accessing social media, videos, music, chatting etc then take the computer away for the term and give them the old fashion textbooks and printouts. What is wrong with the schools? The parents know their student is breaking the code of conduct by accessing what they arent suppose to and they wont take it away neither. The parents also know their students are on their phones all day long rather than paying attention in class and still pay the bill and allow them to have it. Why take away the phone, computer, ipad or anything, the kid deserves it for breathing oh and lets not forget they NEED these items because the old fashion way of communicating, studying and learning only worked for previous generations. Most kids now cant even hold an intellectual conversation, have no idea how to do anything in the real world unless its on a screen and have become the worst bullies possible because they can hide behind a screen and have no consequences for their actions. As for the father of this disrespectful child, congratulations on teaching your child to not be accountable for his poor choices, making lame excuses and blaming everyone else except himself, you are a great parent! Everyone looks forward to paying the price of your great parenting skills! Too many people use ADHD for a check and excuse. Yep I said it. They can get their kid diagnosed and collect and then when they dont feel like parenting just blame the diagnosis. Drs now a days need to stop handing out the ADHD card for every lazy parent and ill behaved child. Too many kids are given the diagnosis that dont even have it. They should start doing random home visits to see how the parent is actually parenting the child, maybe then they can see it isnt an illness its the lack of a parent and stop handing out tax dollars to them, special benefits and excuses. I grew up with ADHD and not once did I behave like the kids now. Several of the teachers and administrators know who I am and know my children are well behaved, respectful and successful because my parents NEVER made excuses for me. ADHD is only made a disability when a parent is too lazy to teach their child, engage their child and properly guide their child. A parent that is involved and actually parenting doesnt make excuses and takes the initiative to correct their child. A lazy want to be parent will raise the same, a lazy unproductive spawn that plays the blame game, poor me pitty party and lives off everyone elses hard work. It all starts in the home! Start holding the parents accountable for their kids behavior since they dont want their kid to be held accountable. As for the teacher, he should have called the resource officer, yeah youre all right on that, that way Daddy could just press charges on the resource officer for escorting the maggot out of class smh. We have seen that in the news how many times? How many officers get a bad rap because these kids are out of control and dont have actual parents. They are pawns to support their parents life style. The teacher didnt do anything but restrain the punk and escort him out of his classroom. This punk wants to spew racial and derogatory slurs, disrupt the classroom and disrespect his peers but God forbid he be put in his punk ass place. To all those that have an issue with it, youre probably just another make believe parent. You dont deserve the title of Parent. The teacher didnt lose his control or composure because he yoked the kid up and put him out. If the teacher punched the kid, slapped him or something along those lines then that would be out of control and abusive. You people need to pull your heads out of your behinds and wake up to see what degenerates your creating and how your bringing society and this country down. I would NEVER want to be a teacher now a days, couldnt pay me enough to deal with the mistakes that are raised at home and sit in the classrooms wasting time and space and taking away from others. Pray for all the teachers in this county because there are far more degenerates than there are parents and teachers and they are multipying rapidly.
CB from PC says
No one of my generation back-talked to a teacher nicknamed “Rocco”.
If they did, this treatment was nothing compared to what occurred.
Consistent with lowering standards, as Tom Wolfe wrote in The Bonfire of the Vanities decades ago, an inner city honor student is “someone who doesn’t piss on he teacher”.
Welcome to the Blackboard Jungle 2.0.
Shame his dad did not discipline him. Of course, the irony would be him and Rocco in the same cell if he did.
Veronica says
“What students were interviewed by deputies said they had not witnessed the incident, though the video show one student clearly putting his hands on his head as he and another student kept their eyes trained on Paffumi as he trailed across the room.”
Even the kids know what this kid is like. We can say it was fear. However, the student recording is clearly recording on another device as well. Or else we wouldn’t have seen him hit the record button. How convenient he started to record then.
If we are talking about backgrounds…I want to see the kid’s record. I am sure there is a bone in that closet.
Also, ADHD is not a world of disrespect. If he is taking the correct meds it should help him focus. He would have been able to turn off the music. It’s mentioned in a couple statements that he is ESE. While I am sure he has an action plan, please stop throwing around “special needs.”
Steve Ward says
Its 100% Special Needs He needs Parents to be adults. Its not part time lifestyle.
Don't judge says
Before you judge him…..I would like to inform you that he was teaching the WORST students of the WORST Middle School in Palm Coast. Can you imagine?! This work kills!! This work makes you crazy! Do you want his job? Do you envy the teachers that they have too many vacations? Come to school and TRY to teach. You will last probably for a week. Maybe not. Don’t judge before you work at schools.
Veronica says
Get over that crap. Teachers are not saints. Mere humans. Time worked versus time paid far exceeds most professions with the same educational background. Humans with human responses.
Parents need to get off the phone and deal with your kid(s). Don’t complain. You got them here…. you deal with them. Then you won’t have to worry about your kid being a racist and getting yolked up.
FlaglerLocal says
Wait….With the risk of sounding like a complete idiot, I’m a bit confused as to who is recording the phone of the person recording the incident…am I missing something?
Veronica says
When the young man hits record, you see his finger. Unless he had two devices recording no one ever sees your thumb in the video. Also, he has it pointed at the carpet and theN moves the camera up.
ron says
Why is it that the students in the video, who are watching what is happening, are sying to the police that they saw nothing. Do they realize they are in the video? Why are their parents allowing them to purge themselves? Parents like this continue the trend of disrespectful punks.
Someone mention that you can ‘t raise your children the way your parents raised you because the world is not the same- That is crap- Integrity, honesty, respect and are still here.
Franklin J Clair says
I would like to know the full story. When I was in school if a student misbehaved and got verbally or physically aggressive with a teacher this type of thing happened. The difference was the teacher wasn’t arrested, suspended, and didn’t have his/her name dragged through the dirt, the student would have to face his/her parents. I didn’t see the teacher beat the student, he picked him up, took him into the hall and pushed him. The student didn’t appear injured and was not beaten. How are students, and even law enforcement officers, supposed to be respected when society treats them like criminals?
Dave says
Teacher should lose his right to be around minors in any capacity and should do some jail time.
Let’s make an example of this bully teacher and show the world they do not belong in our county period.
What kind of a man puts his hands on a child?
Jim says
You need to spend one day in a class room at this school, as a substitute teacher trust me I know what it’s like dealing with a smart ass disrespectful thug ass punk . Children learn what they live ,
Pattie says
Truth. It is very scary at times there and our hands are tied.
Joyce says
That PUNK got what he deserved! It is a shame that teachers can not punish students like that. I think it is total bull crap that the teacher got arrested!
Dave says
After reading this teachers violent past it is a wonder he was allowed to work with kids to begin with.
This man obviously has aggression issues and problem controlling himself and his anger
According to the story he has abused his wife(mentally at the least) and even showed aggression towards our local law enforcement.
He is a danger to our students and civilians alike and should def lose his right to be around children.
Bill says
IMO its because of BS like this from this kids and those who say poor little baby got his feeling hurt That is the BIG problem. Treating these kids like they are something so special and cant be disciplined is why we have so many school shootings and the NEED to have POLICE in every school today. Bring back some discipline
ronnie says
Just to clarify…
The students in the video who were clearly watching the whole thing told the police that they didn’t see anything?
Dave says
Lawyers would advise you not to snitch. It’s never worth it and no one likes a tattle tale
"From Europe Without Love" says
I am from Europe and have been in 30 countries. The American students are the worst: rude, disrespectful and arrogant.
Jack says
Sorry. I know Rocko and he’s a great guy. He’s also the biggest guy in the gym. Literally the size of the rock. I’m a big guy miserly and he dwarfs me. Although I agree the kid was disrespectful but if anyone thinks assaulting a child for saying words, regardless of what they are is right, you’re wrong. We have to set an example and what we’re showing is if someone disrespected you, you may put your hands on them. It’s assault plain and clear. Police thought so, the school thought so and that’s why he’s in jail. I hate to see you in this position but, but you can’t act like a thug because someone has told you words. It’s unfortunate to see how many people think this is OK and maybe you’re part of societies problems of you believe an adult should put their hands on anyone because they used their words. I’ve seen white people call black people the n word, get beat up and then people say that thug is getting what they deserve by going to jail.
Keep Flagler Beautiful says
Don’t we have a no-tolerance policy for racism in our county? If so, that foul-mouthed thug should be permanently expelled from our public schools. I don’t blame the teacher one bit. He did what that student’s parents should have done a long time ago.
RIGHHTTT!!! says
Talk about making me laugh? Where were all your get tough comments when this happened in 2011? Not going to waste the key strokes in the land of hypocrites!
“16-Year-Old Student Head-Butts Deputy in Matanzas High School Fight” https://flaglerlive.com/27520/matanzas-head-butt/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl8ERTrKDsA
L. E. says
I agree with Franklin Clair’s response. After seeing the students short video of the incident, this teacher took a unruly, verbally abusing, disrespectful, and disruptive student out of the classroom. I feel for teachers/educators, bus drivers, etc. because their hands are tied and students know this. This teacher was immediately judged guilty. The student should have been held responsible for the entire incident and punished. And the parents should be held responsible for a wrongful lawsuit. The teacher shouldn’t have been charged or arrested but because of no support from school officials, or the parents, and with damaging news reporting and public pressure this poor teacher is found guilty. The superintendent’s statement’s were appalling and he needs to find another line of work. Along with some of the news reporters. One of the news reporters said the teacher picked up and dragged the student to the door. If you really watched the video with an open mind then you clearly see the teacher pull the student up from his desk, put him in a hold with the students feet off the floor, (no dragging) and escorted him to the door, letting the student’s feet down near the door, and the student is stepping along with the teacher when he opens the door and pushes the student into the hall. If The teacher had tried to remove the student without a good hold, then the student would have been able to punch, kick, slab the teacher or anyone in the classroom. This teacher would have been a hero for his actions if the student had pulled a knife or gun in class.