A middle school teacher has been fired after allegations surfaced of using a racial slur in a classroom at Omar N. Bradley Middle School. The teacher, whose name has not been released, has been terminated following an investigation into the incident that took place on May 14, during a math class lesson where the movie "Hidden Figures" was shown, as reported by KENS 5.
This disturbing situation was first brought to light by a social media user, ‘@hennytwote,’ who claimed on X their niece's teacher uttered the N-word with a "hard E-R" while discussing the film and historical employment practices. The original post has gone viral, with half a million views. The North East Independent School District (NEISD) in San Antonio, responded swiftly, placing the teacher on administrative leave and launching an investigation, according to KENS 5.
Further details provided by Express News revealed the social media backlash expanded rapidly, with the initial post gaining over 7 million views and 152,000 likes. Consequently, the district executed a swift turnaround, announcing on Monday evening that "the teacher in question will not return to Bradley or be employed anywhere within our District," according to an email from NEISD spokesperson Aubrey Chancellor.
The niece recounted in @hennytwote's posts that during the lesson, while explaining the discriminatory hiring practices present during the era depicted in the movie "Hidden Figures," the teacher made the deeply offensive remark to a room filled with young students, leaving the classroom enveloped in awkward silence. Many students turned to look at the Black students in the class, who exchanged worried glances amongst themselves. Chancellor said in an earlier remark, "We do not condone racism and take this allegation very seriously," a sentiment later underscored by the district's definitive action. However, some of the mistrust lingers in the community, as evident in the social media commentary, where @hennytwote expressed concern about the district's initial willingness to take appropriate action and urged further public condemnation and involvement of parents in the investigation.
The terminated educator had been working at Bradley Middle School for the past 18 years and has a total of 30 years teaching experience under their belt.
