The teacher is heard in a recording calling the students “complete and complete fools”.
RICHMOND, Texas — Lamar Consolidated ISD’s Harry Wright Junior High School has opened less than a year later, and a first-year teacher recently told students he’s had enough.
“If I have to deal with kids who are complete and stupid, I’m done,” the teacher said in a recording shared on KHOU 11 News and social media.
The unnamed teacher is heard complaining about the students and telling about the job.
“I want to be fired at this point,” said the teacher. “If I had to keep coming here I’m really going to hurt myself.”
She said that she would not help the students if needed.
“I’ve never in my life dealt with kids who are so terrible that if they fall in the river, I’ll let them swim,” she said.
Many parents and others have expressed opinions ranging from outrage to sympathetic over the teacher’s rant.
“It’s ridiculous,” said parent Lucy Martinez. “Really if she doesn’t like what she does why be a teacher?”
“We should never be in a place where we let our personal feelings get to that point,” said Jeff Capo, president of the Texas American Federation of Teachers. “Especially in front of the kids.”
Capo does not know the teacher in question personally, but said many have suffered emotionally amid the pandemic and related challenges.
“Right now, it’s time for grace,” Capo said. “You know, it looks like he needs to get out and take a break.”
Our efforts to reach out to the teacher were unsuccessful.
However, Lamar CISD issued the following statement:
On Wednesday night (January 12), we were made aware of a video going viral on social media in which a teacher at Wright Junior High School is making disturbing remarks.
Of course, we take this very seriously and are actively investigating this situation. On Wednesday night (January 12) the employee concerned was made aware not to report in the premises and was placed on administrative leave on Thursday morning (January 13).
Parents rely on us with their students every day and unfortunately, the actions of any one person have the potential to breach that trust. It is therefore important to underline that the hardworking, dedicated staff at Wright Junior High School work to create a space where all students feel included and valued, and the comments made in the video are not a reflection of the campus as a whole.