A suspended Seattle teacher who faces allegations of physically abusing an autistic third grader has been elected president of the city's teachers' union. Ibijoke Idowu-Holiday, a former Black Lives Matter organizer and special education teacher at Rising Star Elementary, won the election on Friday to represent approximately 6,000 employees of Seattle Public Schools (SPS).
Allegations of Abuse
Idowu-Holiday's victory comes amid claims that she repeatedly abused a partially verbal boy with autism and a speech delay over several months. According to a complaint obtained by the Seattle Times, the child's parents first noticed bruises on his arms in October, with additional bruises discovered in December. The parents also alleged that in December, a therapist witnessed Idowu-Holiday throw a marker at the child, striking his face and glasses.
A police report reviewed by the outlet revealed other claims from parents that their children complained about Idowu-Holiday grabbing them too roughly. The district placed her on paid leave in December, and she remains under investigation. Bev Redmond, SPS chief of staff and public affairs, confirmed the district notified the Seattle Police Department of the allegations but did not provide specifics about her suspension.
Impact on the Child
Tyson Marsh, the third grader's father, told the outlet that his son now resists going to school and is emotionally distressed following the alleged abuse. "Any movement toward him is received as if you were going to attack him," Marsh said.
Police sent the case as a statutory referral to the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office on May 6. Casey McNerthney, a spokesperson for the office, explained that such referrals typically indicate police do not believe they have sufficient evidence to charge a crime. The referral is still under review, and additional materials may be gathered.
Background of Idowu-Holiday
Before joining SPS in 2021, Idowu-Holiday organized Black Lives Matter protests in Renton and West Seattle. She told KUOW that she previously worked as a personal banker, where she felt self-conscious about wearing her natural hair or braids to work. The outlet also reported that she led protests with a megaphone, calling for boycotts of businesses that did not support the BLM movement. "We are boycotting those businesses as well, hitting them in their pockets. People will shape up when their money is affected," she said in 2020. She also stressed the importance of holding people of color-owned businesses accountable, stating, "We are not supporting these businesses that do not support us. Be mindful. Hit them in their wallets."
The Daily Mail has reached out to Idowu-Holiday for comment.
