ROUND ROCK, Texas — Back in September, Amy Venn says she got a call from the director of Round Rock Head Start, where her then 4-year-old son was a student. Venn says her son has severe autism and is nonverbal.
“There was a teacher in the classroom that had purposely tripped my son and that the principal from Round Rock ISD came on campus and the program director at Round Rock Head Start met with her and she admitted to tripping him on purpose,” Venn said.
According to an affidavit, Round Rock ISD teacher Lynn Shin was charged with misdemeanor assault of an elderly or disabled victim. A witness – a volunteer with the program – told police that the student was attempting to calm himself down while running around the classroom, and that no other students were in danger.
The affidavit says Shin told the student not to run while the witness allegedly heard Shin say she would trip him if he ran one more time.
Shin stuck her foot out, causing the student to fall and cry. Venn told investigators her son had bruises on his knees when she picked him up.
Venn said she had trust issues with Shin, having previously complained about her.
“She just had unrealistic expectations of what a child with autism returning to the classroom would do, you know, ahead of time,” Venn said. “Like, she wanted him to do everything just like the other kids and to act a certain way and he wasn’t able to do those things. That was always my dream for him, to be included and be with other kids.”
KVUE reached out to Round Rock ISD for a statement. Their response read in part: “The district doesn’t comment on personnel matters, but Ms. Shin resigned from the district Oct. 1, 2024.”
The affidavit says Shin resigned after the incident because she felt bad, noting it was a “wake-up call,” and that the job may be too stressful.
Venn says there are solutions for students who are abused in school.
“Cameras should be added in classrooms for all children at this point, with the accessibility and the affordability of it. In particular though, if it’s for children that are either too young to communicate what’s going on or for children that are nonverbal,” Venn said. “I just don’t really want to give up the hope that he’ll have a bright future.”
After this incident, Venn decided to no longer send him to Head Start, and says he will be part of a program where they will have cameras in the classrooms.