After Making Racist Comments, Baltimore Science Teacher Fired: Schools CEO

BALTIMORE, MD — A Baltimore City schoolteacher was fired after making racist comments to students this week, according to a statement from Baltimore City Public Schools.

"In a very trying time in the country right now, here in city schools we are clear — we do not tolerate that kind of language and interaction using hate speech with anyone, let alone our young people," Baltimore City Public Schools CEO Sonja Santelises, Ph.D., said at a press conference Thursday.

Officials said that a science teacher at Harlem Park Middle School made verbally abusive and racist comments to students, recorded on video by a student.

In the video, the teacher pulls a boy out of the classroom by his hood, calls the class "idiots," tells them they are all "stupid" and uses the "n" word.

"I was appalled when I first viewed the video," Santelises said, noting she immediately contacted human resources and school supervisors about taking actions "on behalf of the young people."

As of Thursday, officials said that the teacher was no longer employed by city schools.

"No form of discriminatory behavior of any kind is or will be tolerated," according to a statement from Baltimore City Public Schools.

Counselors were sent to Harlem Park Elementary/Middle, which planned to have a community assembly about the incident. Said Santelises: "It's not just the young people in that class reeling from this."

The teacher had been at the school for four years, WBAL reported.

Statement on Incident at Harlem Park Elementary/Middle School

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.

This link goes to the video of the incident. It contains graphic language.

Image via Shutterstock.