Fair Or Foul? “Jovial” Teacher Suspended For Telling Student With Ethnic Name “Go Back To Your Country”

Getty Images

Ohio Teacher’s Suspension Causes Controversy

There’s been a lot of chatter in the Ohio area of Chandon over the suspension of one of its teachers. The school board suspended 25-year Chardon Middle School science teacher Steve Patterson without pay for unprofessional statements to a student. Reportedly, the instructor told a student “go back to your country” after mispronouncing her name. He then insisted it was a “joke”.

The board of education signed a resolution on November 14, 2017, enforcing a suspension and detailing the incident. The resolution says that Patterson acknowledged making the comment and said he was trying to “kid with her.” SMH. This teacher has had a history of making sly comments. Patterson reportedly once told a student who asked if he was a dictator “like Hitler”, “does this mean I get to put you in an oven?”

Patterson must now complete ethics and communication training courses. Do you think this guy means any harm by spewing race-sensitive jokes in class?