Teacher placed on leave after confronting four students who assaulted her son Teacher placed on leave after confronting four students who assaulted her son (May 25, 2005)

By David Boyce

Almanac Staff Writer

A Menlo-Atherton High School teacher is on paid leave pending an investigation of a May 11 incident in which she confronted students who had assaulted her son on campus.

The teacher confronted the students a few minutes after they assaulted her son and broke his nose at about 1:45 p.m. at the front of the school, said Atherton police.

Principal Norman Estrada confirmed that the teacher is Liane Strub, who chairs the English department and teaches advanced-placement English literature. She is among the most liked and admired teachers on campus, and her classes are much in demand.

Neither police nor school officials would provide details about what happened during the confrontation, but Principal Norman Estrada said that to his knowledge there was no physical contact initiated by Ms. Strub.

The four assailants, all boys, were arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery, said Sgt. Mike Guerra, a school resource officer with the Atherton police. Three of the boys are M-A students and one was re-enrolling at M-A after having moved back to the area, said Sgt. Guerra. All four were taken to Hillcrest juvenile facility in San Mateo.

The boys confessed, he said, adding that they hadn't been after Ms. Strub's son in particular. It was a random incident, said Sgt. Guerra. "He was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Police have not yet talked with the teacher, but have spoken with some 14 witnesses, including students and parents.

The District Attorney office will decide how to proceed against the boys. For a juvenile misdemeanor offense, they could face probation or incarceration by the California Youth Authority, said Sgt. Guerra.
Honored teacher

In 2001, at the request of the senior class, Ms. Strub spoke at the graduation ceremony.

In that same year, M-A's education foundation, the Foundation for the Future, awarded her the Carnegie Foundation Teaching Award. "Her teaching and her commitment are of the highest level," the accompanying statement said.

The foundation quoted a student who praised Ms. Strub for dedication, sensitivity, creativity and enthusiasm. "She's the best teacher I have ever had," the student said. "She's absolutely unforgettable, the teacher that students go back to visit even years after they've left M-A."

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