BETHLEHEM, Pa. — According to footage obtained by Lehigh Daily, a Northeast Middle School teacher was recorded on video in what appears to be a physical altercation with a student.
The video, which now includes audio, shows what is believed to be math teacher Brian Heller seemingly attempting to confiscate a cell phone from a student.
In the footage, the individual identified as Heller appears to pin the student against a chalkboard while trying to remove the device from the student’s possession.
“Get off of me,” Heller can be heard saying in the recording, to which the student responds, “Stop touching me.”
During the confrontation, a desk was knocked over, and other students can be seen moving away.
The teacher is heard repeatedly telling the student to “SIT DOWN” before stating “alright you’re going.”
The student’s mother, who wishes to remain anonymous, told Lehigh Daily that her son took his phone out to check the time when the teacher became frustrated and the altercation occurred.
She acknowledged that her son violated the school’s no cell phone use policy and was wrong to have brought out his phone, but expressed concern over how the teacher handled the situation.
“He could have wrote my son up or sent him to the office or just got the cop to begin with,” she told Lehigh Daily.
According to the mother, her son texted her at 1:35 p.m. on the day of the incident, stating that the teacher “tried to fight him for his phone.”
At 2:19 p.m., her son sent her the video, which she claims the principal had already viewed. She said she called the school for information and was not contacted first.
The mother noted that her son is in 7th grade, while Heller is a 6th-grade teacher who was substituting in the class that day. She has indicated to Lehigh Daily that she intends to push further for justice.
On Friday, March 28, the Bethlehem Area School District issued an official statement regarding the incident. In the statement, Superintendent Dr. Quinones acknowledged awareness of “a video circulating on social media involving a classroom incident at Northeast Middle School.”
The statement confirmed that the district is “conducting a thorough review” and emphasized that they “take all matters involving student and staff interactions seriously.”
Dr. Quinones noted that the district is “unable to provide further details” because it is a personnel matter. Still, they assured that their “priority remains ensuring a safe and respectful learning environment for all students and staff.”
When contacted for additional comment, BASD Communication Coordinator Barbara Clymer declined to provide details beyond the official statement.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Heller has been employed by the Bethlehem Area School District since August 2000. Many people online have expressed surprise at the incident, stating that it seems uncharacteristic of Heller.
The district has confirmed that Heller is on administrative leave, though he remains listed among district staff on the school’s website.
