Wednesday’s suspension of the Greenville teacher’s license was a result of video footage showing her dragging a student with special needs by the hair. Linda Winters Johnson’s license will immediately be suspended for 12 years. This is a period of time that education officials from the state licensing commission call “historical.” It is not possible for a state law to permanently revoke a teacher’s or administrator’s licensure. Winters-Johnson could also be seen hitting the student with a Yeti Cup in another video. She admitted to pushing the child across the floor of the gym. After being posted to Facebook by a parent of another student in September, the videos gained attention. “I felt like I overreacted when I grabbed her by the hair. Winters-Johnson explained to the members of the commission that she realized she was on video and saw the severity of the situation. She claimed she was trying to subdue her student and prevent her from sustaining injuries in the bleachers or while leaning on the door of the gym. Winters Johnson told the commission that she was sickened by her actions, but she did not tell Greenville High School Principal Xavier Hodo because she thought it would go away. However, she stated that she was trying to subdue the student and protect her from injury in the bleachers and when she leans on a door in the gym. A Washington County grand juror recently indicted Winters Johnson. She was charged with the abuse of a vulnerable individual. She could face up to $1,000 in fines and one year imprisonment if she is convicted. Many of the witness testimony was conducted in executive session to preserve the privacy of student. Raina Lee, a Mississippi Department of Education attorney, referred to the commission in her closing statement about testimony that other videos of Winters Johnson and the student were deleted by the district. She confirmed that the incident wasn’t reported to the Education Department in the stipulated timeframe of 10 days. Paula Vanderford (head of the accreditation office for the state Education Department) described the investigation into this incident as “ongoing”, meaning that more charges could be filed. The hearing was also attended by former Superintendent Leeson Taylor who testified. He did not recommend that Winters-Johnson be terminated until the viral videos became widely known on social media. According to him, he originally recommended suspending Winters-Johnson for 21 days due to the teacher shortage. He also stated that Winters Johnson had never had any disciplinary incidents and that Janice Monroe, acting superintendent, had said she was a good teacher. Taylor was also fired last week by the Greenville School Board. Taylor also stated that he was not convinced that there was sufficient evidence to support termination after receiving two videos from a local minister. He admitted that he reached that conclusion despite the fact Principal Hodo had immediately recommended termination following the incident. She stated that this is how she normally responds to you and that you need to gently calm her down. “She pulled (name not redacted) hair and placed the student on her lap to calm her down,” Hodo and Winters Johnson’s meeting notes stated. “Ms. “Ms. Later, he stated that while there is no plan to appeal the decision at this time, he and his client were reviewing all options. Appeal of decisions made by the commission can be filed first at the State Board of Education, and then, if unsuccessfully, to Hinds County Chancery Court._x000D