CPS teacher charged with attacking 5-year-old student in class

A shocking incident unfolded at Carter G. Woodson Elementary School in Bronzeville, where a Chicago Public Schools teacher, Laundon Hubbert, is accused of violently attacking a 5-year-old student in a South Side classroom. The alleged altercation, which took place on February 6, involved Hubbert pushing the young boy to the floor, kicking him multiple times, and forcibly removing his hoodie. The disturbing confrontation was partially captured on video by another staff member who witnessed the incident.

Hubbert, 52, now faces charges of aggravated battery of a child younger than 13 causing great bodily harm. Her occupation as a teacher at Carter G. Woodson Elementary School was listed in her arrest report. According to prosecutors, a teaching assistant entered the classroom and observed the boy sitting at his desk, coloring on a piece of paper while other students played on the carpet. The assistant then witnessed Hubbert rolling her chair to the boy’s desk, grabbing his paper, crumpling it up, and placing it in a pouch attached to the back of his chair.

When the boy attempted to push Hubbert’s hands away, she allegedly reacted by forcefully pushing him out of his chair and onto the floor. The assistant tried to console the distressed child as he tried to regain his seat, but Hubbert pushed him again, causing him to hit his head on the assistant’s chair. In a chilling statement, Hubbert allegedly said, “You want to push chairs. Now you don’t have a chair.”

As the boy lay on the ground, he kicked Hubbert’s shoe, prompting her to threaten to kick him back. She then grabbed him by the collar of his hoodie, causing him to cry as he pleaded for it back. Despite the child’s distress, Hubbert refused to return the garment and placed it out of his reach on a table. The assistant reported seeing Hubbert kick the boy multiple times, with at least one kick landing on his chest.

Amidst the escalating situation, the assistant began recording Hubbert’s actions on video, and Hubbert instructed her to take the other children out of the classroom. When the assistant later saw the boy, she noticed a scratch on his face. The incident was reported to school officials, and an investigation was launched by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

In a letter to parents and families, Woodson’s principal addressed the situation, emphasizing that student safety is a top priority. The letter stated that an investigation had been initiated, and the staff member involved had been removed pending the outcome. Support was being provided to the impacted student, and a final determination would be made regarding the staff member’s return.

Hubbert’s case is the second recent incident involving a CPS employee physically harming a young student. Tamika Odeh, a special education assistant at Parker Elementary School, was charged with aggravated battery of a child causing great bodily harm after allegedly placing a student in a chokehold and throwing him to the floor, resulting in serious neck injuries that required hospital treatment.

These distressing incidents underscore the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of students in educational environments. It is crucial for schools to uphold rigorous standards of conduct and promptly address any allegations of misconduct to protect the vulnerable individuals in their care.