Substitute teacher now wearing eye patch after outburst in 'out-of-control' middle school classroom

A substitute teacher is wearing an eye patch after suffering an injury at the hands of a student in an unruly classroom at Colin Powell Middle School in Matteson, Illinios, WBBM-TV reported.

What was it like in the classroom?

The class of about 40 students was reportedly so out-of-control that one of the students threw something and struck the substitute teacher in his left eye on Wednesday. The victim was identified as Dr. Fourte, a 30-year veteran educator and principal.

“Forty students in one classroom. It was very chaotic. It was terrible,” Fourte told the TV station. “They were very rude, they were out of their seats, just a very bad, negative environment.”

At one point, the students were so out-of-control that administrators intervened, according to Fourte. But after the administrators left, a student “threw something very, very strong, very powerful, and it went to my left eye and damaged my left eye,” Fourte said.

“I’m in excruciating pain as we speak,” Fourte said.

What's next?

The school board for Elementary School District 159 is currently investigating.

In a written statement, the school district stated: “The primary concern of the Board is for the welfare and recovery of our teacher. We are currently investigating this matter and will move forward with appropriate action as quickly as possible.”

“I feel terrible because as an administrator and educator, no one should have to go into work in an environment that’s very disgusting like the one I was in,” Fourte told the TV station.

The report suggested that Fourte could take legal action against the district.

A police report was filed, and Fourte has retained an attorney, the WBBM report states. Fourte is currently “exploring his options.”

Matteson is a southern suburban area of Chicago.