Minnesota teacher banned for mimicking George Floyd’s murder
Teacher banned for mimicking George Floyd's death at Minnesota school
A substitute teacher in Minnesota has been banned from Woodbury High School after allegedly kneeling on a student’s back to mimic George Floyd’s 2020 murder while claiming that “police brutality isn’t real.” The incident occurred on Monday at Woodbury High School, where the teacher, who claimed to be a police officer, reenacted the prone restraint used by Minneapolis police that resulted in Floyd’s death in May 2020.
A photo shared by a student’s mother on Facebook shows a man, identifiable by a school ID lanyard, kneeling on a student lying face down with arms outstretched. Following reports from students, the substitute teacher was barred from the school. Principal Sarah Sorenson-Wagner described the incident as “reprehensible” in an email to parents, students, and staff, highlighting the racial harm caused.
George Floyd, 46, died on 25 May 2020, when officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes. Floyd repeatedly said he couldn’t breathe. His death led to nationwide protests, and Chauvin was sentenced to 22 years in prison for murder in 2021.
.@bringmethenews has a photo and a brief video of the Woodbury High School substitute English teacher re-enacting the George Floyd killing on a student https://t.co/B2DZXh6LhJ pic.twitter.com/Gc89215vGb
— Christopher Ingraham🦗 (@_cingraham) October 16, 2024
The substitute teacher, who was teaching four English classes to sophomores and seniors, is also accused of twisting a student’s arm, demonstrating facial pressure points, mimicking pointing a gun at students, and making racial, sexist, and inappropriate comments. Students reported that he invaded their personal space, shared details of arrests, described sexual assault cases, and talked extensively about his gun collection. He allegedly stated that “police brutality isn’t real” and claimed that “cops would be the best criminals,” adding that he received a passing grade on a paper detailing how to get away with murder.
Principal Sorenson-Wagner affirmed that such behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the school or the district. The teacher, not an officer in Minnesota, believed students would be interested in his life experiences. The incident has been reported to the Minnesota Department of Education, the state teacher licensing board, and the Woodbury Police Department.
Woodbury Police Chief Jason Posel expressed his department’s concern and committed to a thorough investigation with the school district. The substitute teacher, employed by the contracting vendor Teachers on Call, is no longer with the company. A spokesperson stated that the actions were unacceptable and emphasised their zero-tolerance policy for violent, aggressive, or harmful behaviour, recognising the need to maintain a safe learning environment.
What Other Media Are Saying
- HuffPost reports on a police officer banned from teaching after reenacting George Floyd’s murder and making racially harmful remarks, affecting students in Woodbury High School.(read more)
- WoodburyNewsNet reports a substitute teacher at Woodbury High School banned for reenacting George Floyd’s restraint and making sexist and racist comments, prompting a school-wide response and investigation.
This article emphasizes the severity of the substitute teacher’s actions, highlighting the racially harmful and inappropriate behavior, and the district’s swift response to ensure student safety and well-being. The unique angle is the detailed account of student reports and the school’s efforts to address the incident through open conversations and healing actions. Key points include the teacher’s inappropriate reenactments, racist comments, and sexist jokes, as well as the district’s collaboration with the Woodbury Police Department and Teachers on Call to prevent future incidents. The article underscores the importance of creating a safe and inclusive school environment.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why was the substitute teacher banned from Woodbury High School?
The teacher allegedly mimicked George Floyd’s murder and claimed police brutality isn’t real.
What actions did the substitute teacher allegedly take besides kneeling on a student?
He twisted a student’s arm, demonstrated facial pressure points, and made inappropriate comments.
How did the school respond to the incident?
Principal Sorenson-Wagner called the behavior reprehensible and barred the teacher from the school.
What agencies have been informed about the incident?
The Minnesota Department of Education, state teacher licensing board, and the Woodbury Police Department.
Is the teacher still employed by Teachers on Call?
No, the teacher is no longer with Teachers on Call.
