Bayonne, NJ: A Bayonne teacher has been hailed as a hero for her selfless actions in protecting a student from a violent attack near William Shemin Midtown Community School.
The incident occurred on October 22nd, 2024, outside of Shemin Midtown Community School where video caught the teenage student being viciously punched and stomped by a group of teens while others looked on during the attack.
Cathy Hurley, 56, a teacher in special education, had been walking to her car just after 3pm when a group of teens almost bumped into her as they rushed past. She immediately felt something was amiss.
A moment later, she heard alarming sounds and looked back to see one teen on the ground, being attacked.
As onlookers stared at the disturbing scene, Hurley rushed over to intervene, throwing herself over the boy after screaming that she called the cops in the hopes it would scare them off.
When it had no effect, the Bayonne teacher threw herself over the teen, and protected him with her own body.
Hurley’s daughter, Frankie Sielski, described the scene to a reporter because her mother was too shaken by the incident to be interviewed:
“As a teacher, she was worried about putting her hands on a student and possibly losing her job. She was screaming ‘I called the cops! I called the cops!’ thinking that would get the kids to stop. My mom said ‘I don’t know why they didn‘t kick me.’ She was like, ’Why did they stop?’ Her thought process was like ‘these kids don’t even know I am in here.’ So she just decided to lay on the kid.”
She added: “Thank God she got on top of him because there was no end in sight.”
After Hurley shielded the student with her body, the attackers abandoned the assault and took off.
Hurley’ daughter continued: “She just needed to get them to stop so that’s what her body did. There was no thought behind it.”
The victim was left unconscious with serious injuries and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.
The teenagers involved in the assault were identified, including – Educarray McGhie, 18, and four minors ranging in age from 15 to 18. They were arrested and charged with aggravated assault, endangering an injured victim and related offenses. McGhie was booked at Hudson County jail and the minors were taken to youth correctional facilities.
The Bayonne School District has commended Hurley’s heroic actions, praising her for her bravery during the incident.
Bayonne School District Superintendent John Niesz in a statement: “I can tell you this, that teacher embodies what each and everyone who works and lives in Bayonne is all about.”
Shemin school administration also commended Hurley’s ‘fearlessness in a letter to staff:
“She was the only adult to enter the situation, trying to pull the attacker off the victim and finally laying on top of the student, to use her body as a shield. Her dedication to our students, her motherly instincts and her Hudson County fearlessness tie for a close second to her kind and compassionate heart.”
Hurley’s daughter said that she expects her mother will be be recognized by the district for her heroic actions.
Sielski added: “This woman, like, appearing from nowhere, right? She’s not part of the crowd. She appears from nowhere and you lose her. And then the next thing you see is her body on top of them. Like it just really like an angel moment.”
