Chicago High School Teacher Suspended For Alleged Racist Comment To Latino Students

A Chicago high school teacher who allegedly told a Latina student to “go back” to her country during a school assembly was suspended Friday by Chicago Public Schools.

Nicholas Senn High School Principal Mary Beck shared the news with the students and parents in an open letter. She said the teacher, whose name hasn’t been released, was “removed” from the classroom for the time being as Chicago Public Schools continued its investigation into the alleged incident.

“At the conclusion of OSP’s investigation, a final determination will be made regarding whether it is appropriate for this individual to return to Senn,” Beck said. “I will update the school community when a final determination is made.”

Chicago Public Schools spokesperson James Gherardi said the teacher was suspended without pay.

The incident occurred on Jan. 30 during a Hispanic heritage assembly at the high school. Seniors Tionda Cobb, 18, and Yésica Salazar, 17, reportedly were sitting during the national anthem to protest to police brutality and the treatment of immigrants under the Trump’s presidency. Two teachers reportedly confronted the pair and asked them to leave if they weren’t going to stand. Salazar said she started explaining why they were sitting when one of the teachers allegedly told them to “go back to your country.”

“I, personally, was very offended, a little bit upset, angry and disgusted,” Salazar told reporters. “Educators aren’t supposed to let their political beliefs get in the way of their jobs.”

Cobb said she informed Beck of the incident in an email, saying they “were silently exercising our rights, our beliefs and our opinion.”

The two students organized a sit-in protest at the school on Wednesday to voice their anger over the situation. They reportedly told Beck they were upset with the apparent lack of action taken and felt the school had failed the students.

Chicago police were called to the school over fights breaking out and arrested a 15-year-old student for battery for allegedly pushing a school staff member.