After being caught on recording audio last week, a Texas sixth-grade teacher has received backlash for a series of comments she made in the classroom, including saying that the school’s students are “complete and utter morons.”
The unidentified first-year teacher with Lamar Consolidated ISD‘s Harry Wright Junior High School expressed her frustrations with her job to her class. “I want to be fired at this point. I literally am going to hurt myself if I have to keep coming here,” she said.
In the recording, which has been shared widely across social media, the teacher can be heard saying, “I have never in my life dealt with kids that are so awful that if they fell into a river, I would let them float away.” When asked if she wouldn’t “throw a log” to them in the hypothetical river, she commented, “Nope. I might throw a log on them. So they sink.” She also stated that she wishes to change professions so that she can “carry a gun on [her] hip and intimidate people.”
Some parents criticized the teacher for how she spoke to and about her students.
One mother, Lori Casarez, said, “I can’t even understand why she would say the things she said. Very cruel. Not remorseful at all.”
A student from the class, Saydie Sciple, chimed on the incident. “Probably shouldn’t talk to your students like that, even if you’re really mad at them. She actually did tell us about [what she said on camera]; she said she hopes she gets fired because she can’t deal with it,” said the student.
While some people expressed disapproval of the teacher’s comments, others speculated that the teacher may be in distress and in need of a break from the job.
Texas American Federation of Teachers President Zeph Capo said that although educators should never let their feelings get out of control, “Right now, it’s a time for grace. You know, it does sound like she needs to exit out and take a break.”
Lamar CISD responded with a statement regarding the rant:
“We were made aware of a video circulating on social media where a Wright Junior High School teacher is making disturbing comments. Of course, we take this very seriously and are actively investigating this situation. Last night, the employee involved was made aware not to report to the campus and was placed on administrative leave this morning. Parents trust us with their students every day and, unfortunately, the actions of a single person have the potential to breach that trust. That is why it is important to underscore that the hardworking, dedicated staff at Wright Junior High School work to create a place where all students feel included and valued, and the comments made in the video are not a reflection of the campus as a whole.”
