Principal Jobless After Racially-Charged Graduation Comments

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The principal who caused an outrage by making racist comments during a Stone Mountain school’s graduation ceremony has found herself without a job.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, TNT Academy’s former principal Nancy Gordeuk was let go on Thursday by the school’s governing body. The NAACP told the AJC that they applauded the move, saying that they respected Gordeuk’s right to free speech but demanded more civility from those entrusted with the education of children.

Gordeuk allegedly dismissed the graduating class before letting the valedictorian speak during last week’s graduation ceremony, then tried to rectify the situation by calling everyone back. This move did not sit well with some parents, who left with their children anyway, according to the Washington Post.

Gordeuk told NBC News that she saw black families leaving the ceremony en masse, and was recorded on cell phone camera footage saying, “look who’s leaving … all the black people.” Gordeuk’s remarks caused a large portion of the assembly at the First Baptist Church of Lilburn to walk out in protest, WSB-TV said.

11 Alive News reports that Gordeuk blamed the devil for her outburst in an apology e-mail she sent out following the incident.

“I deeply apologize for my racist comment and hope that forgiveness in in your hearts,” the apology read in part.

The NAACP was not moved by Gordeuk’s contrition, telling the AJC that her “Flip Wilson defense” was not sufficient for a school administrator.