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.

When photos circulated among Woodbury High School students on Monday, administrators caught wind.

Students say the substitute teacher — Prescott, Wisconsin, police officer Steve Williams — was pulled from the classroom midway through the fifth period, not long after reenacting Floyd’s killing with his knee on a student’s neck.

What happened?

Principal Sarah Sorenson-Wagner sent a letter to families on Monday about the alleged behavior 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.

Placed on leave

For his full-time job, the substitute teacher works as a patrol officer in Prescott, Wisconsin.

In a statement Wednesday, the city identified the officer as Williams and said he had been placed on administrative leave. The city says Williams served the department for two years.

The statement reads:

“Based on the information received from the school district and the active investigation by the Woodbury Police Department, the officer in question has been placed on administrative leave. Mr. Williams was not serving in an official capacity as a police officer for the City of Prescott when the alleged actions occurred. The City of Prescott and the Prescott Police Department find the current allegations, if true, against Mr. Williams deeply disturbing and reprehensible, and we in no way condone his actions South Washington School District, staff and students.”

The police are conducting their own internal investigation into the incident.

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.”

Response from police and company

Woodbury Police Chief and Public Safety Director Jason Posel provided FOX 9 with the following statement:

“Woodbury Public Safety is aware of the incident that occurred at Woodbury High School on Monday, October 14, 2024. We are disturbed by the preliminary information about what happened. The substitute teacher involved in this situation has no ties to Woodbury Public Safety We value our relationship with the South Washington County School District and will continue to work closely with them. The safety of the students, teachers, staff and our community is our top priority and extending compassion to the students affected.”

Kelly Education, owner of Teachers on Call, said the following in a statement:

“Teachers on Call is deeply concerned about the reported misconduct of a former Woodbury High School employee. This individual’s actions were unacceptable and the substitute teacher is no longer an employee of Teachers on Call.

“We recognize the great public trust placed in us to ensure that our substitute teachers maintain a safe learning environment. We have a zero tolerance policy for any form of violent, aggressive or harmful behavior.

“Our substitute teachers undergo a rigorous screening process that fully complies with Minnesota Department of Education standards and includes screenings that go above and beyond state requirements. This includes extensive background and fingerprint checks, including searches of local, state and national criminal records, including crimes against children – and a search of the National Sex Offender Registry. Our rating system strictly adheres to all state and district requirements and prioritizes safety and security in educational settings. The substitute teacher involved in the reported misconduct has completed all required background screens before he was placed in command.

“We would like to thank our partners at Woodbury High School for taking swift action to protect the well-being of students. We are working with the school district and local authorities as the ongoing investigation continues.”

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.”

Several parents told FOX 9 the situation was shocking and wondered how someone like that could get into a classroom, but they were pleased with the outcome.

What we don’t know

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.