Court Sentences 350-Pound Minnesota Teacher Who Stepped on Sixth Graders' Backs as Punishment

A Minnesota schoolteacher has been sentenced to probation and stripped of his teaching credentials after using students as makeshift step stools during a classroom lockdown drill, according to court documents filed earlier this week. Jason Rogers, 49, a former science teacher and athletic coach at Underwood School District, pleaded guilty to three counts of misdemeanor assault related to the incident, which took place in February 2025. The district, located 175 miles north of Minneapolis, serves approximately 500 students. Rogers was ordered by an Otter Tail County District Court judge to surrender his teaching license, write formal apologies to his victims, complete 90 hours of community service, and serve two years of supervised probation. The judge imposed a $2,250 fine, though no jail time was handed down. If Rogers successfully fulfills all conditions of his probation, the charges against him will be dismissed. The incident began during a lockdown drill when several students refused to comply with instructions, according to a criminal complaint reviewed by investigators. Rogers allegedly stepped on the backs of three students, two with both feet, as a form of disciplinary action. One of the boys suffered injuries severe enough to require hospital treatment, prompting a call from a sheriff's deputy to the facility. The student reportedly cried when the teacher placed his weight on him unexpectedly. In a statement to police, Rogers claimed the students were instructed to line up against a wall during the drill but chose instead to lie on their stomachs near the door. According to the complaint, he felt the class was not taking the exercise seriously and responded by placing his foot on the lower back of one student before removing it when the boy began to weep. Another student later told authorities that Rogers used both feet on him. Rogers admitted to stepping on two additional students, according to the document. Rogers had previously worked as a science teacher for fifth and sixth graders and also coached wrestling and junior high football. He resigned from his position in April 2025, shortly after the incident came to light. The maximum penalty he faced under state law included up to one year in prison and a $3,000 fine, but the court opted for a less severe outcome. His defense attorney, Daniel Repka, described Rogers as a “good guy” who made a regrettable choice that effectively ended his career. “He made a really unfortunate decision that led to the end of his career, and he just wants to move on,” Repka stated, according to media reports. The case drew attention from local and national media, including the Minnesota Star Tribune, which covered the story last year. The newspaper detailed how Rogers initially cooperated with detectives, providing accounts of the incident. His actions sparked discussions about appropriate disciplinary methods in schools and raised questions about the oversight of educators. The incident occurred in a small rural district known for its tight-knit community, where such an occurrence would likely generate significant local concern. While the exact nature of the drill and the specific reasons behind the students’ refusal to participate remain unclear, the response from the teacher appears to have crossed into unacceptable territory. Rogers is currently undergoing mandated anger management training and performing community service as part of his probation requirements. His future employment prospects outside of education remain uncertain, given the loss of his teaching license and the nature of the charges against him. The case highlights the potential consequences of inappropriate disciplinary practices within educational settings and underscores the importance of maintaining professional conduct among teachers. As the legal process moves forward, the focus remains on ensuring that Rogers adheres to the terms of his probation while addressing the broader implications of his actions.