Can a student hit a teacher back if he or her hits them?

In my opinion, it is a matter of principle to respond by retaliating. I got into a physical fight with the dean in 8th grade... as the teacher attacked me, I pushed him back and landed a body punch. It was illegal in the state for a teacher to physically hit a pupil... and therefore, the whole ordeal was swept under the carpet. I could have given the teacher a decent beating, but I really didn't want to. If he would have hurt me, that would have been a different story.