Underwood, Minnesota — A former Minnesota middle school teacher has been sentenced after admitting he stood on multiple students during a school lockdown drill in an attempt to make them take the exercise more seriously. While he avoided jail time, the incident has effectively ended his teaching career after a judge ordered him to surrender his teaching license.
Teacher Admitted Standing on Students During Lockdown Drill
According to court documents, Jason Rogers, 49, a former science teacher at Underwood School, pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts of malicious punishment of a child stemming from an incident on Feb. 10, 2025.
Prosecutors said Rogers, who taught fifth- and sixth-grade students, stepped onto the back of one student while the child was lying face down during a lockdown drill.
Court records indicate Rogers stood on the student’s back for approximately 10 seconds, allegedly using the child as a “stepping stool.”
Investigators said the student later told authorities he did not understand why the teacher stood on him.
Student Reportedly Suffered Pain After Incident
According to court filings, the child was left in significant pain after the incident.
Records cited in the case state that the student was “walking around like an 80-year-old” and was crying because of the pain following the drill.
Authorities later determined that two additional students had also been stepped on during the same incident.
When questioned by investigators, Rogers reportedly acknowledged placing his foot on one student’s lower back, explaining that he believed the class was not taking the lockdown drill seriously.
He told police he removed his foot after realizing the student had begun crying.
Former Teacher Avoids Jail but Faces Strict Conditions
Although each misdemeanor count carried a potential sentence of up to one year in jail and a $3,000 fine, the court did not impose jail time.
Instead, Rogers received probation, with court records indicating his conviction could eventually be removed if he successfully completes all conditions and commits no additional offenses.
As part of his sentence, Rogers must:
- Surrender his Minnesota teaching license
- Complete an anger management program
- Perform 90 hours of community service
- Write letters of apology to each victim
- Pay a $2,250 fine
The sentencing came roughly one year after the incident occurred.
Teaching Career Ends Following Guilty Plea
Rogers resigned from his position at Underwood School in April 2025, several months before entering his guilty plea. In addition to teaching science, he had also served as the school’s wrestling and football coach.
His attorney, Daniel Repka, described Rogers as “a good guy” who made “a really unfortunate decision that led to the end of his career.”
According to the attorney, Rogers now hopes to move forward after accepting responsibility for his actions.
The case has drawn attention across Minnesota, raising broader discussions about appropriate disciplinary practices in schools and how educators should respond when students fail to take emergency drills seriously.
What do you think about this sentence? Should educators who physically discipline students face tougher penalties, or was the court’s decision appropriate? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
