The beating of a high school art teacher by a student has prompted city and school officials to call for more resources to deal with classroom violence.

Jolita Berry, an art teacher at Baltimore's Reginald F. Lewis High School, was beaten Friday in an attack that was recorded on a cell phone camera and posted to the Internet. Berry says the attack began when she told a female student to sit down. She says the girl's friends cheered her on as the girl struck her in the face.

Berry says she is afraid to return to the classroom.

Teacher's union president Marietta English said her office receives two or three complaints a day of assaults on teachers.

Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon said the problem is getting out of hand and stern discipline is needed. State Schools Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick called for increased character education, community partnerships and parental responsibility.

City schools officials say the student involved in the attack on Berry has been suspended.

The video showed up on the Website MySpace.com.

Berry says the principal told her that telling the student she was going to defend herself triggered the attack.

Email To A Friend