New details revealed after Ga. teacher shoved child down in class
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Last month, a video resurfaced that shocked the community, a DeRenne Middle School teacher and football coach shoving a student down in class in Savannah.
The teacher resigned just two days later.
Now witness statements offer new details on what happened that day in class.
Back in December, a student’s mother sent him to DeRenne Middle School in Savannah like any other day, not knowing she’d be answering a call from district school police that her sixth grade son was thrown down by the middle school’s football coach and his teacher that day.
That teacher was identified as BeTreylin Elder.
Statements from two other students who witnessed the incident, along with the victim, and teacher’s statement from that day.
MORE FROM NEWS 12
Education: Positive signs and problems in CSRA and beyond
- Richmond County school leaders ‘comfortable’ with interim superintendent choice
- ‘Improvement in every category’: Richmond County schools see growth in readiness
- Columbia County middle schooler makes threat, parents told
- Georgia State University accused of teaching ‘debunked’ reading methods
- Ga. Department of Education unveils 2025 legislative priorities
The first student wrote, “Mr. Elder was talking about his momma” and went on to list a specific comment made by the teacher that was sexual in nature.
The next student wrote a similar statement, “Mr. Elder was talking about doing things to the boy’s mama and the boy got mad.”
The statement goes on to read, “Mr. Elder sat close to the boy and said I’ll make it easier for you.”
The student victim in this case echoed the same scenario, “He was talking about my mom, saying she was a cougar,” along with another comment of exactly what Elder said. The same quote the other two students said, which again was sexual and crude in nature.
The teacher’s statement contradicts what all three students witnessed.
“That he was giving a student back his phone and as I turned around this student was in his face,” said Elder. “That’s when I proceeded to push that student away from me. The student fell in between the desk, and tried to charge me as he got up”
That Friday, school district police were called.
Fast forward two days, and Elder sent an email to the school district.
It reads in part, “I’m writing to inform you of my immediate resignation from my position at DeRenne Middle. Due to unforeseen personal circumstances, I find it necessary to step down from my role with immediate effect. I apologize for any inconvenience caused by my sudden departure.”
Personnel files reveal this teacher had three years of previous experience at an out-of-state school district.
He started working for Savannah Chatham County Public Schools at the end of July.
Five months later, he has now resigned.
It’s still unclear whether this teacher will face criminal charges.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
