Substitute teacher fired after students reported a picture of him teaching the N-word on whiteboard
A Las Vegas substitute teacher has been fired after allegedly writing the N-word on a whiteboard at Silvestri Junior High School.
After a photo of the board was shared on social media, the district quickly determined that the person was no longer employable.
Students at Charles Silvestri Junior High School alerted their principal, Yvette Tippetts, and other administrators that one of their staff members was the focus of the racially sensitive tweet. The unidentified male teacher spoke to the students using the word on the board: after in the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The image was published on the No Racism in Schools #1865 page.
Akiko Cooks, the co-founder of the organization that runs the site, said in one interview Speaking to local broadcaster Fox 5, she was “not surprised” to see the picture.
“For him to be so convenient and encouraged to actually write this on a whiteboard for students to see sends a very direct message that it’s actually okay for students to be derogatory and racially insensitive,” Cooks said.
“Had these students not taken a picture,” she asked, “would their voices have actually been heard?”
On Tuesday, April 11, Tippetts released a statement to parents informing them that the school administration has opened an investigation into an issue that “involved a communication with racial implications.”
“The administration will continue to communicate with you about these situations because the entire Silvestri Junior High School community will collectively condemn these actions,” the principal promised.
“I assure you that based on the outcome of the investigation, appropriate action will be taken against those responsible,” the statement continued. “Also, I want you to know that this will not be tolerated at our school or in the school district.”
“We will not tolerate behavior that is contrary to an inclusive community and impacts the needs of our students,” Tippetts wrote.
The Clark County School District backed up Tippetts’ comments with swift and permanent action.
Lisa Guzman, one of the trustees of the Clark County School Board, tweeted, “The district has removed this person. They can no longer be represented at any school in the Clark County School District. I want to commend the students who reported this horrible act. It allowed the district to move quickly. #fiduciary life”
Parents hailed the district for taking the incident seriously.
“As the parent of a Silvestri child, I am glad that this was taken seriously and that there were immediate consequences for this person who has no place in a classroom with our children.” Somer Rodgers tweeted. “Proud of the children who spoke up!
Cooks believes the students also owe an apology.
“These students deserve an apology … I think it’s important for the community to hear from the district that we will not tolerate this in our schools,” Cooks added.
