More than a month after a Seattle Public Schools investigation determined that a special-education teacher — and recently elected president of the local teachers union — “more likely than not” grabbed a student’s arm hard enough to cause bruising, the educator is responding to the allegations publicly, for the first time.
The district’s investigation concluded that Ibijoke Idowu, a special-education teacher at Rising Star Elementary in South Beacon Hill, likely did grab a student’s arm multiple times, one time so tightly she caused bruising, and that she threw a marker at the student. The investigation also found that Idowu tossed a book at a different student, which hit that student in the stomach. The report also states that she would yell “I don’t care about your crying” at students who cried in class, and that students would “flinch” when Idowu walked past them. Other allegations, including that she grabbed the hair or wrists of two other students, could not be substantiated, according to the district’s report, shared with The Seattle Times by the parents of the student whose arm was grabbed.
Idowu was placed on administrative leave in December after parents of the third grade student — who has autism and is partially verbal — reported the allegations of physical abuse. Despite not being in the classroom, Idowu was elected president of the Seattle Education Association in May. The union represents about 6,000 SPS teachers, paraprofessionals, secretaries, counselors and other staff.
Idowu disputes the validity of the investigation's findings and questions its rigor. In a statement Idowu sent to The Times, she said the report “ignores” the statements of several witnesses who said they did not see any physical interaction between her and the student on or before the days of the alleged abuse, and “not one witness said they witnessed any type of physical intervention that could cause a bruise.”
In her statement to The Times, Idowu contends the district’s findings are based on the statements of only some witnesses — “but not the majority.” She added that “most of the allegations have no specific dates or times from mandated reporters of when alleged events occurred,” making it difficult for her to “provide clarity without context.”
The district’s investigation involved interviews with more than a dozen people, including Idowu. None of those interviewed personally witnessed Idowu grab the student in a way that would cause bruising. However, three witnesses did say that Idowu was “rough” with, or would “grab” or “yank” students. At least three witnesses told investigators that Idowu would yell at students and get angry. Two other witnesses told investigators they did not see any physical interactions between Idowu and students.
Idowu also addressed her relationship with the student whose parents first alleged physical abuse. “I care very much for the student, and the student cares for me,” Idowu wrote. “He was a joy to have at school. He was always excited to come to school. He grew to learn and understand school routines through consistency and nurture.”
She also addressed the unsubstantiated allegations that she pulled students’ hair or grabbed their wrists. “I would often help students with their hair,” Idowu wrote, adding that such actions are part of the “wrap around support” she provides to “allow students to thrive and learn life skills.” She continued: “I help students hold their pencils correctly to reach their occupational therapy goals.”
The parents of the student at the center of the complaint, who allege Idowu bruised their son’s arm and caused lasting trauma, said they were shocked at the extent to which the report revealed what they called a toxic classroom environment.
“I was surprised it was a daily occurrence, the way she would treat students,” said Olla Ali, the student’s mother. The parents have retained attorney Lara Hruska and are considering additional legal action.
Neither Idowu nor Seattle Public Schools would confirm whether Idowu is still on paid leave, if she will return to the classroom at a future date or if she faces disciplinary action based on the investigation’s findings.
“Seattle Public Schools takes allegations involving harm to a student very seriously,” an SPS spokesperson wrote in a statement to The Times this week. “The employee is entitled to due process, and we are still in the early stages of that process. Additional facts, context, and analysis may be considered. Therefore, we are not commenting on the specifics of the case.”
The student’s parents reported the alleged abuse to the Seattle Police Department, which conducted its own investigation and then referred the case to the King County prosecutor’s office, which declined to charge Idowu at the end of May. Prosecutors determined Idowu’s conduct did not rise to the level of a felony, writing “the only applicable crime here is assault 4th degree, which is a misdemeanor,” according to a decline memo obtained by The Times.
As such, the case was returned to the Seattle Police Department, which then referred it to the city attorney’s office. A spokesperson for the city attorney said the office is reviewing the case, and no charging decision has been made yet.
A spokesperson for the state’s office of superintendent of public instruction said its office of professional practices has not received a complaint from SPS regarding Idowu.
Regardless of the outcome of any civil or criminal investigations, several members of Seattle’s teachers union said they were frustrated, even feeling betrayed, that they were not informed that Idowu was on leave or under district investigation when they cast their votes for her in April’s union election. A petition demanding a recall to remove Idowu had collected 187 signatures as of Friday morning.
Some union members have authored a letter demanding Idowu’s resignation.
“Resignation is not an admission of guilt,” the letter reads. “It is, at times, an acknowledgment that the office itself is larger than any individual. When confidence in leadership has been substantially eroded, stepping aside can allow the organization to move forward, preserve public trust, and permit new leadership to focus on the work our members expect.”
Idowu said she was given a directive not to talk about the investigation with anyone other than her union representative and the district labor relations manager. “(SEA) members who came to me directly were informed of my leave, while maintaining the integrity of the investigation,” Idowu wrote.
The SEA spokesperson said in May that any member in good standing can vote and run for president. Members are considered in good standing as long as they are actively employed by the district and paying union dues.
“SEA is a member-led union and we are proud of our vibrant democracy. Leadership and direction of the union is guided by our bylaws and determined by our elected board,” SEA spokesperson Julie Popper wrote in an email this week when asked about SPS’ latest findings.
Idowu maintains that throughout her time at Rising Star Elementary, “my students have thrived,” noting what she said were improved test scores, “growth in social emotional regulation (that) improved their home life” and “a strong sense of belonging in our school community.” She said she has “high expectations of my students because I know they are capable of growth and academic excellence.”
However, she called the district’s actions in allegedly releasing the report “concerning.” She said that as a public employee, she must be notified when records concerning her will be released. She said she received no such notification, instead learning about the investigation’s publication through a friend who saw it on social media. “The report was released as a complete public record even though the district did not provide it to me or provide an outcome of the determination at that time,” she wrote.
Idowu said that her “privacy and due process have already been grossly violated,” and declined to provide additional updates about the investigation. She said she will “use all resources at my disposal to challenge any action the district takes.”
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