Naomi Roberts pokes 5th grader with pointer

**Sister Iroz** · February 15th, 2009, 11:37 AM

BURRILLVILLE -- A teacher has been charged with assault after a fifth-grade boy complained that she poked him in the chest with a pointer.

Naomi Roberts, 65, of 151 Duck Cove Rd., North Kingstown, was charged with one count of simple assault. Her lawyer said today she would plead not guilty.

The incident took place Jan. 9, according to police. The 10-year-old boy said Roberts poked him in the chest three times with the pointer because he was being loud in class, at Steere Farm Elementary School, according to Lt. Kevin San Antonio. The boy's father filed a complaint with police Jan. 15, San Antonio said.

Burrillville Superintendent of Schools Steven Welford said that Roberts is on administrative paid leave pending the outcome of a school district investigation.

Joel Chase, a lawyer representing Roberts, complained yesterday that although he had requested information about the case, officials had supplied information to the news media before releasing it to him.

"It's unbelievable that the entire media have all the details of these allegations and we don't," he said. "The only thing we were told by the police when we brought her in and they arrested and processed her was that a student made the allegation that she assaulted him. I requested all the paperwork formally through a discovery motion. I have been told a couple of times that it's on its way. But the media apparently has a press release and affidavits before the defendant and her attorney have it. What's wrong with that picture?"

When asked whether Roberts would plead not guilty at her arraignment, scheduled in Providence District Court on Tuesday, Chase replied, "Of course."

http://news.beloblog.com/ProJo_Blogs/newsblog/

**Dakota Valkyrie** · February 15th, 2009, 01:35 PM

A poke? Did she start from 3 feet away and take a running start? Otherwise the little shit (and his parents) should be glad she didn't whap him over the head with it. This sounds like a "pig in a poke" ploy by the parent$.

**malq** · February 15th, 2009, 01:46 PM

The teaching profession is severely limited nowadays on what they can do on discipline.
I would not be surprised if this teacher is removed from the job and penalized civilly.

**Dakota Valkyrie** · February 15th, 2009, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by malq

The teaching profession is severely limited nowadays on what they can do on discipline.

I see you point. She could easily graduate to 2x4s or machetes.

**Lizard** · February 15th, 2009, 04:33 PM

Looks like the original article was a blog. Here's a news source.

http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_n...arges_20090213

And here's her mugshot.

**MichaelJCheaney** · February 15th, 2009, 04:37 PM

What ever happen to the good old days when a Teacher could just yell at the top of his/her lungs:

SHUT THE FUCK UP?

**MadmamainNC** · February 15th, 2009, 04:41 PM

She seems to be from the old school of disciplining. No pun intended.
While I don't agree with Corporal Punishment of any means simply because some may take it too far, I do believe some of these kids need their butts whooped and I don't see the big deal with the poke. It doesn't even fall under corporal punishment or abuse for that matter.

Kids today have no clue how easy they have it. Try going through school being taught by Nuns who know no boundaries when disciplining. I'd take a poke any day, over a slap across the hand with a yard stick.