High school teacher recorded using racist slur in Missouri class. ‘I can say the word’

A high school teacher’s repeated use of a racist slur in his Missouri classroom has been called “inappropriate (and) inexcusable” by school officials.

The Glendale High School teacher, who is white, was heard in a Tuesday, May 9, video saying a slur used against Black people.

McClatchy News is not sharing video of the incident, which includes graphic language.

“I don’t like the word at all,” the teacher says, “but it feels like when a Black person is using it toward another Black person it’s the same. How is it not still a derogatory word? I don’t know, I don’t get it.”

A student in the classroom calmly asked the teacher not to say the word, but the teacher goes on to say it two times.

A student said the teacher also said the word multiple times before the video was recorded, KY3 reported.

“I’m not calling anyone a (racist slur),” the teacher tells a student. “I can say the word.”

Glendale High School principal Josh Groves said the school took “immediate action” after he was made aware of the “offensive, derogatory language” used by the teacher.

The teacher was placed on administrative leave and is facing “appropriate disciplinary action,” the principal said in a statement to school families and staff.

Groves said the school received “several calls from concerned parents” as the video spread across social media.

The teacher has not been publicly identified. The Springfield News-Leader said the teacher is also employed as a coach at the school.

“I want you to know that the comments expressed in the video are inappropriate, inexcusable and do not meet the professional standards for Springfield Public Schools employees,” Groves said.

This story was originally published May 11, 2023 at 11:54 AM with the headline "High school teacher recorded using racist slur in Missouri class. ‘I can say the word’."