Woodbury replacement reenacts George Floyd’s murder of a student

WOODBURY, Minn. (FOX 9) – A substitute teacher at Woodbury High School reportedly used a student to reenact the restraint used in the killing of George Floyd, in addition to making inappropriate gestures and comments in several classes.

What happened?

Principal Sarah Sorenson-Wagner sent a letter to families on Monday, which was then shared on social media, about the alleged conduct of a substitute teacher in four English classes. She described the events that unfolded as “inappropriate and racially harmful behavior.”

The letter includes a “brief summary” of what the substitute teacher allegedly said or did in front of the students, which school officials said was “not provoked by anyone.”

The letter to families included the following list:

• Place a student on the floor in front of the class as part of a reenactment of the police actions that resulted in the murder of George Floyd.
• Reenacts the restraint that resulted in the murder of George Floyd.
• Twisted a student’s arm behind the student’s back and showed pressure points on the chin and face.
• Talked about a bar fight and fake hit a student with his fist “very close” to the student’s face.
• “Inside the student area” and imitated holding a gun and pointing it at students.
• Repeatedly made racist comments.
• Told sexist jokes.
• Spoke in disturbing detail about dead bodies he had seen, and shared graphic details about two sexual assault cases he investigated.
• Shared specific names of people he arrested.
• He stated that “the police are supposed to be the best criminals” and that “they know how to get away with things”, stating that he once received an “A” on a paper on how to get away with murder.
• Spoke at length about his gun collection.
• Declared that “police brutality is not real.”

Students also reported that the substitute teacher thought they “would like to hear about his life as a police officer.” However, the letter states that the teacher was not a Minnesota police officer, and Woodbury police are helping investigate the incident.

“I would like to thank the students who reported this incident to me. It takes courage to stand up for and uphold the values ​​of our school in the face of inappropriate and racially harmful actions by an adult,” the school principal wrote.

What they say

Principal Sorenson-Wagner wrote in the letter, “I want to specifically acknowledge the racial harm that occurred when the substitute teacher reenacted the restraint that resulted in the murder of George Floyd.

“This reported behavior is reprehensible. I am ashamed and sorry that this happened to our students. We will take as much time as students need to listen and create open space for courageous conversations that lead to healing, action, and education.

“The reported actions are not tolerated and will not be tolerated at Woodbury High School or in South Washington County Schools. We are working with Teachers on Call, our alternate contracted vendor, to ensure that this individual is removed from the Teachers on Call substitute list and will never be allowed to fill a vacancy in our school district.”

What’s next?

School officials said the matter has been reported to the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board.

The letter stated that the substitute teacher had been removed from district property. Police are investigating the matter, but further information was not immediately available.

Officials said students will have a chance to meet with school staff and discuss what happened and process the impact of the incident. The letter states that school staff, administrators and district leaders are working with student leaders on the next steps to “repair the harm done to students and staff at Woodbury High School.”

What we don’t know

No further details about the substitute teacher were provided in the letter.

It is not known whether the substitute teacher has previously taught at the high school, or whether any other complaints have been filed against him.

FOX 9 has reached out to the school district, Kelly Education Company, owner of Teachers on Call, and the Woodbury Police Department for more information.