This teacher was heavy-footed.
A 350-pound Minnesota science teacher who bizarrely stood on his students to teach them a lesson for making light of a lockdown drill has avoided jail but has been forced to write groveling letters of apology to his victims.
Jason Rogers, 49, was ordered to hand over his teaching license Tuesday — one year on from the Feb. 10 2025 incident at the Underwood School, which left one of his victims “walking around like an 80-year-old” and sobbing in agony, according to court docs seen by the Minnesota Star-Tribune.
Rogers, who taught fifth and sixth graders, stood on the boy, who was lying on his stomach, for around 10 seconds and used the kid as if he was a “stepping stool.”
The boy didn’t know why Rogers stood on his back — but the teacher told cops he “didn’t feel the class was taking the drill seriously.”
Rogers, who also coached wrestling and football at the school, claimed he “placed his foot onto the lower back” and removed it when he realized he was sobbing, according to the documents.
He later copped to stepping on two other students.
Rogers resigned from his teaching role in April 2025 and pleaded guilty to three malicious punishment misdemeanor offenses – which carry a sentence of up to a year in jail and/or a $3,000 fine.
He was given probation and his rap sheet will be wiped if he doesn’t commit any further offenses.
He must complete an anger management course, carry out 90 hours of community service, and write letters of apology to his victims. Rogers was also fined $2,250.
Despite Rogers losing his teaching license, his lawyer Daniel Repka vowed the ex-educator is a “good guy.”
“He made a really unfortunate decision that led to the end of his career, and he just wants to move on,” he said.
