I’d say it’s 50/50. Rules have changed and that makes it a problem for teachers to do what they need to do in many cases but then again there’s a lot of teachers who just shouldn’t be teaching period.
“possible termination” now a days is unlikely with teachers unions. If you’ve achieved tenure an indefinite paid leave period pending transfer or arbitration.
My only advice to any teacher is is own your classroom from the first day. Any weakness invites trouble.
Inner city schools aren’t schools anyway they’re more like day boarding kennels for animals.
Here at the school in which I teach, several teachers have been fired immediately for grabbing students and pushing them against lockers or lifting the off the floor while yelling at them. That being the case, I think your 50/50 estimate is a bit off. The union didn’t protect these guys...
Having my husband in a situation where he needed the union’s assistance, I learned how little the union actually does. The union rep was there to make sure the school didn’t break the rules when trying to ruin my husband’s career and reputation.
FWIW they never accused him of breaking the law or violating school policy. He allowed student led discussion on religion during class a few times each year. They said he “created a culture of religious discrimination “. Union couldn’t do anything until they actually fired him. The union isn’t as powerful as we all are led to believe.
If a teacher were to defend themselves physically then they would be charged with assault and the union does nothing to help in criminal cases. The teacher would be left on his own.