ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Five teachers at Franklin High School say they were assaulted by students, according to presidents of four unions within the Rochester City School District. It’s reportedly the latest incidents in the growing violence problem within the district.

Ruth Card is one of those teachers. She says she was assaulted Friday when she tried protecting another student during a fight.

"Students were yelling, 'stop you’re hitting a teacher, stop,'" Card said.

A longtime teacher in the district, Card explained that she wasn’t afraid in the moment.

“Motherly instincts, they kicked in I guess,” she said. “I needed to protect [the student] and that’s what I should be doing anyways.”

Rochester Teachers Association President Adam Urbanski says the presidents of all four unions within the RCSD sent a message to Superintendent Dr. Lesli Myers-Small and Board of Education President Van White. It calls on them to address the violence within the schools.

Card says she filed a report with Rochester Police, which gets sent to district leaders. But she says no one has reached out to her since.

“The district needs to start reaching out to us and the students,” Card said. "Start asking us what we need, ask the students.”

Card will spend the next few days recovering, and she says her arm and shoulder got hurt during the fight. 

There's no word yet on the condition of the other four teachers allegedly assaulted.

But after she recoups, Card plans to be right back in the classroom.

“I wouldn’t miss it,” she said. “I love my students and I’m passionate about what takes place.”

Card also said she's been in contact with the student she was trying to protect.

Spectrum News 1 has reached out to the Rochester Police Department for comment about the incidents and has yet to hear back.

Myers-Small issued a response to the union presidents' letter on Sunday: