An unidentified teacher has been let go by Baltimore City Schools after a couple videos surfaced of her engaging in a nasty confrontation with students in a Harlem Park Elementary/Middle School classroom.
The videos, shared on social media this morning, start with the teacher removing a boy from her classroom. “Get out of my class! Leave! Get out!” she shouts, forcefully ushering the student towards the door.
As the students in the classroom chatter, she briefly speaks with the student outside. She then steps back in and shouts, “Who else needs to freaking leave?” Students, naturally, respond with jeers, to which she replies with a threat: “You’re all getting zeros for doing nothing! I give you the word.”
All of this is pretty ugly in just 25 seconds of footage, but it gets worse. After some glaring, the teacher yells, “You’re idiots! Get out of the drugs and get an education! Do you want to be the punk ass n***er who’s going to be shot?”
Needless to say, the classroom full of black students erupts in anger. She then calls out a student, telling him to “learn something, be a man.” Not exactly trying to save face.
If you’re worried this woman might end up teaching your children in the city, do not fear. We contacted City Schools about the incident this morning. Minutes later, a spokeswoman issued this statement:
Yesterday a middle school science teacher at Harlem Park Elementary/Middle School engaged in verbally abusive behavior and made racially charged comments directed at students. The teacher involved in the incident is no longer employed by City Schools.
At Baltimore City Public Schools, we are committed to creating positive and equitable learning environments in school communities where all members are welcome, supported, and valued. No form of discriminatory behavior of any kind is or will be tolerated.
On Thursday afternoon, City Schools CEO Sonja Santelises clarified that the incident actually occurred on Tuesday, but wasn’t reported until Wednesday. She expressed disappointment at a Thursday afternoon press conference.
“There are many people who struggle with classroom management, but they don’t resort to hate language,” Santelises said, per The Sun. “We can’t provide enough support to counteract what’s in someone’s heart.”
In a brief statement, the Baltimore Teachers Union condemned the teacher’s choice of words. City Council President Jack Young also shared his displeasure about the recorded confrontation, saying it gave him physical discomfort.
It turns my stomach to think about this woman in front of a classroom of impressionable young minds.
— Mayor Bernard C. Jack Young (@mayorbcyoung) November 17, 2016
Our schools, in addition to learning environments, should serve as safe havens for the young people entrusted in our care.
— Mayor Bernard C. Jack Young (@mayorbcyoung) November 17, 2016
There’s zero tolerance for adults who violate our young people. That video is proof that we have more work to do as a city and a country.
— Mayor Bernard C. Jack Young (@mayorbcyoung) November 17, 2016
This story has been updated with comments from the teachers’ union and school and city officials.
