Racial Slur Uttered By Teacher Prompts Apology From Woodson Official

FAIRFAX, VA — An official at W.T. Woodson High School in Fairfax has apologized for a substitute teacher uttering a racial slur during an in-class reading of John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men" last month.

On May 11, a substitute teacher was following a lesson plan that was left by the regular instructor to read aloud a chapter from the novel. In earlier classes, the teacher had explained the book used outdated words that are currently unacceptable. The class had also discussed some of the controversial elements in the novel, including the language used and the author's point of view.

"Unfortunately, the substitute was not made aware of the language and that the word should not have been read aloud in class," Amanda Burke, an assistant principal at the school, said in an email sent to Woodson families on Tuesday. "Part of the pre-reading instruction with students includes learning that slurs and offensive language are not read aloud or used in any way at any time. The substitute read the [racial slur] which did cause students to be understandably upset. The substitute did share that she stopped after reading it and talked with the class about how the word is not appropriate and should not be used."

A student notified Burke that a classmate had recorded a video of the substitute saying the racial slur and shared it on social media.

"We spoke with the students who brought this to our attention to ensure that they felt heard, safe, and affirmed in our school," she said. "They assured me that they did, and I greatly appreciated them trusting me to look into the situation."

Related: Fairfax Schools Launch Inquiry After New Racial Slur Complaint

Burke shared this information with the teacher and substitute, both of whom she said were "heartbroken that it had upset the students."

"As language evolves, we often find terms that are outdated and even offensive in literature, and it is important to acknowledge the feelings and perceptions of our students," she wrote. "In this situation, we have the opportunity as adults to talk with our students and to support them in their perceptions."

Burke ended the letter by apologizing for the incident and inviting anyone with concerns or questions to contact her.

A spokesperson for FCPS said, “Every student in FCPS has the right to feel safe and affirmed in our schools. Words matter, no matter the context, no matter the situation. In partnership with the Chief Equity Office, we continue to work within our community to have dialogues about dignity, humanization, and belonging.”

This is not the first time in recent years that FCPS has had to tackle the issue of offensive language. Last year, the school system investigated the use of racially charged language by football players enrolled at two county schools.

Players on the Wakefield High School varsity football team in Arlington accused players on George C. Marshall High School's team of using racial slurs at a March 5, 2021, game on Marshall's campus near Tysons Corner.

Students and parents of junior varsity football players at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria reportedly said that a player for James W. Robinson Jr. Secondary School in Burke used a racial slur and spat on a player for T.C. Williams near the end of the April 5, 2021, game.

"Our school division embraces diversity and strongly condemns hate speech and offensive, hateful language or racial intolerance of any kind on the sports fields, in school buildings or anywhere on or off school premises," FCPS said, in an April 7, 2021 statement. "We will hold anyone found to have used such language while representing any of our schools accountable for their words and actions."

Students heard using hate speech or offensive language during a game will be ejected and suspended from future games, FCPS said, referring to Virginia High School League rules.

"The primary responsibilities of schools are to foster an open, respectful and inclusive learning environment for all students," FCPS said, in its April 7, 2021, statement. "We recognize that we have much work to do in our schools and will continue to strive to promote equity, sportsmanship, respect, and fair play on and off the field."

Student Rights and Student Responsibilities published on the FCPS website states that students have a responsibility to "Refrain from using words, images, or gestures that are obscene, violent, disruptive, or disrespectful."

The same document says that students have the right to expect courtesy, fairness, and respect from other students and members of the school staff. They also have the right to present a complaint or concern and expect a response about a staff member whose actions don't seem in the best interest of the students.