The Round Rock community comes together to discuss the implications of a former teacher's assault charge.
A former teacher in Round Rock, Lynn Shin, has been charged with assault for allegedly tripping a five-year-old nonverbal student with autism. Witnesses reported the incident where the child, who has a blood disorder, was tripped while exhibiting typical behaviors. Following investigations by the police and Child Protective Services, Shin faces serious legal consequences, including a Class A misdemeanor charge. The community remains in disbelief over the incident, highlighting the need for accountability in educational settings to protect vulnerable students.
In a distressing incident that has left many in the Round Rock community shaken, a former teacher has been charged with assault after purportedly tripping a young student with autism. The former educator, 42-year-old Lynn Shin, stepped down from her position at the WBCO Head Start program on October 1, 2024, after a troubling incident that took place just a few days earlier on September 26, 2024.
The situation began when a classroom volunteer—who previously spent over 30 years in special education—observed Shin intentionally trip a five-year-old nonverbal student. This child, who engages in *stimming* behaviors, was running past Shin when the incident occurred. With the child exhibiting typical behavior for his condition, the volunteer noticed that Shin went so far as to threaten to trip the child if he happened to run near her again.
As the child dashed by, Shin allegedly extended her foot, causing the young boy to fall hard, landing on his hands and knees, and burst into tears. It’s important to note that the child has a blood disorder, making him more vulnerable to bruising. In the aftermath, the child’s mother reported seeing bruises on her son’s knees when she picked him up that day and observed notable changes in his behavior following the incident.
Before this troubling incident, the mother expressed how positively her son had experienced the Head Start program, highlighting the warmth and development he had received in the classroom. The emotional pain from this encounter led her to strongly advocate for legal action against Shin. She felt it was crucial to prevent any future occurrences and protect other children from experiencing similar distress.
In light of the incident, officials from multiple organizations—including Child Protective Services, Round Rock ISD Police, and the Round Rock Police Department—immediately conducted thorough investigations. After these investigations, charges were officially pressed against Shin in late December 2024. She faces serious accusations for assaulting a disabled individual, which is classified as a Class A misdemeanor. This charge carries weighty ramifications, potentially resulting in up to a year in jail and fines reaching $4,000.
Shin was quickly released after posting a $15,000 bond following her arrest, but many in the school community are questioning how an incident like this could take place. School officials shared that during interviews with police, Shin displayed a lack of remorse, describing her demeanor as “matter of fact.” The principal of the school where she was employed commented on her inability to cope with the stresses associated with her role as an educator.
Additionally, the classroom volunteer emphasized that the child did not pose any danger to his peers by running in the classroom, underscoring the troubling nature of the incident and the reaction from Shin. The entire turnout of events raises concerns about the safety and well-being of vulnerable students who depend on compassionate and understanding educators.
Before her employment at WBCO Head Start, Shin had experience teaching students with intellectual disabilities in the Leander school district for a year, and she previously worked in several districts in New Jersey between 2015 and 2023. However, her recent actions not only jeopardized the trust placed in her but have also left indelible marks on the lives of young students and their families.
As the community processes the implications of this incident, the hope is for greater awareness and accountability in educational environments, ensuring the safety of all children, especially those with special needs. The road to healing for the affected child and his family is undoubtedly just beginning.
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