San Marcos High School announced Friday that a substitute teacher was promptly removed from the classroom after they reportedly read a racial slur while reading “Of Mice and Men” aloud to students.
Principal Dare Holdren stated the incident took place during Ms. Hannah’s 1st period classroom and a student promptly reported it to the front office.
In a message that was sent to parents on Friday, Holdren stated the substitute teacher was reading aloud from “Of Mice and Men,” and read aloud the n-word multiple times. The lesson plan for the class had advised the substitute teacher to replace any slurs with appropriate language.
“I am grateful that a student reported the incident to the office during the period, so we were able to address it right away. In response, we pulled the substitute from the classroom,” Holdren stated. “In addition, I addressed the class about the impact of the incident and discussed some of the historical context of the use of that particular slur, and I am messaging you, so that you are aware, can discuss the incident as a family, and can let us know if any students need support.”
Holdren went on to state he is disappointed and upset, particularly in light of the high school and district-wide efforts to address racist language.
“While the substitute seems to have not intended to cause harm, the impact of the use of the slur was hurtful and traumatic for many of the students in the class. We will be working on next steps for addressing the incident with the substitute teacher and Ms. Hannah will make sure students get to discuss the incident as a class upon her return,” Holdren stated.
San Marcos High School serves students in the City of Santa Barbara and unincorporated Santa Barbara County near Goleta from 9th through 12th grades.
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Was the sub disciplined for ignoring the teacher’s instructions or for reading the word as written in the book the kids are all reading anyway?
If the word hasn’t been removed from the book the kids are all (presumably) reading, how is it such an offense to say it out loud as the book is being read? Why read it out loud at all? This is high school. Kids should be reading on their own.
A better approach would be to not read the passage out loud at all and instead have a discussion about the use of the word (without saying it) and the historical context.
Then again, if the teacher instructed the sub to do something and they ignored it, that’s another matter.
Correct, Sacjon. Either don’t include the book in the curriculum or read it as the writer wrote it. Congratulations to the substitute. It appears the rest of the teachers are without backbone.
RHS – Yeah, I just find it weird that a book that was assigned, whether to read in person or to the class, would be altered from its printed form. Banning this book would be absolute lunacy, as is banning any works of classic literature, and I hope that never happens. I do see a great teaching moment here for the regular teacher when she returns.
I think Dare needs a “teaching moment”.
I agree with Sacjon 100%! He is probably second guessing himself now…..LOL
O
“The lesson plan for the class had advised the substitute teacher to replace any slurs with appropriate language.”
The sub did not act as “advised” (which in this context is a command).
And you’re assuming that “the kids are all reading [the book] anyway”, which I doubt … it’s probably not the case precisely because of the language that parents and the rest of society have decided that schoolkids should not be reading as part of assigned reading. You can reasonably debate such a position but it’s the context for this action and the school can hardly be faulted for carrying out its own policies that were hammered out within that context.
I agree. “advised the substitute teacher to replace any slurs with appropriate language.” The substitute used the “appropriate language” – the language that Steinbeck used to write the novel. I tremble to think what “Huck Finn” must be like now, if they are even “allowed” to teach it or read it in school these days. The substitute did the right thing. The “slurs” are part of the point – to LEARN from reading. I’m tempted to write that word, right now, just to see if I will be censored, too. Folks, we better wake up to this stuff (no “woke” hate speech, please) before Slavery, the Reconstruction, Jim Crow, Segregation, the Civil Rights Movement, and any other warts on our history become labeled as “myths” or worse – “Woke Propaganda”. If I were the substitute teacher, I’d sue for wrongful termination. Where is the Teacher’s Union on this? If the guidelines actually say, “replace slurs with “appropriate” language”, my interpretation is that is not a slur in the context that it is a novel about a certain time in our history, and that is how they spoke. Do we want to pretend that never happened? Jeez!
Oh, and I am sorry that Dare “is disappointed and upset”, which sounds like CYA to me, and if anyone else was triggered or suffered other trauma over language from a novel that millions of children have read for decades without such trauma.
I was taught that exact book at San Marcos in the early 60’s, WHILE the Civil Rights movement was happening, having watched cops in Alabama sic dogs and turn fire hoses on peaceful protestors (lynchings were still happening, too), then beating them (sort of the ICE of the time) ON TV in real time. It happened, folks, whether you like it or not. I guess book burning is next. Welcome to 1934 Germany, folks.
MARCEL – Yes, if the sub violated the guidelines set by the teacher, this is appropriate.
I’m not sure I agree though with discipline against teachers for reading the words of an assigned book aloud though, without more (such as violating/ignoring the instructions). Not saying that’s what you said, it’ just my opinion on this.
I do assume the kids are reading the book. Why not? This isn’t elementary school. Kids read the books they’re assigned as far as I know. That’s my question though – was this a teacher read only or were they reviewing something they’d already read. That’s where I was going with that.
““While the substitute seems to have not intended to cause harm, the impact of the use of the slur was hurtful and traumatic for many of the students in the class.”
The teacher was reading a classic literature book as it was written. hurtful and traumatic for many of the students in class? I highly doubt this is even remotely accurate. I’ve got 1 kid at SM and 1 that graduated last year. If we are teaching our kids that censorship is ok, and it’s ok to fire a teacher who was innocently reading a book as it was written, we have a lot of work to do as a society in this regards.
The kids will go on with their lives, tune in to their music which is laced with profanity and “n” word is used every 5 seconds.
This is a horrible decision to fire the teacher. This also sets precedent for others. i could go on but won’t. it’s pointless because these posts do nothing to further anything along….
My question is are they even reading books anymore or is it just the teacher reading to them? The original teacher should have started the whole lesson segment on Of Mice and Men with a discussion on the historical context and given a heads up that there would be racial slurs written in the book they’re reading. This should not have been a surprise to any students. That is, unless the teacher reads to them only as opposed to them reading on their own.
Keep in mind that high school classes comprise a very wide range of abilities. There are classes in which students with various learning issues dominate and teachers must find ways to make the material accessible. I have no knowledge of the class in question, but just know that a public high school serves all its students no matter their ability with the English language. I wouldn’t rush to make a broad judgement about teaching methods in all high school English classes just from this situation.
I agree with you though, using a euphemism for a word written plainly on paper in front of them seems kind of odd. I don’t question the action taken with the substitute necessarily but 1) it doesn’t seem that newsworthy, tbh, like why is it even here, and 2) it’s hard to believe anyone was hurt or traumatized by the substitute.
KIRK – good point, you’re right.
That particular word makes me cringe.
What makes you think anyone was fired? It wasn’t “the teacher”, it was a substitute, which is a very temporary position, and they were removed because they didn’t follow the lesson plan. And no, the kids’ music is not laced with the n-word used every 5 seconds–if your argument depends on radical hyperbole then your argument is junk.
Your argument, if valid, would be reason for no one anywhere to refrain from using the n-word because everyone hears it all the time and no harm is done by it. But that simply isn’t true, and it’s a very privileged position.
What was that? I can’t hear you, I’m blasting one of my favorite songs, N%^^!# in Paris by JayZ
and you listen to current music, including rap? which is the most listened to music today by the kids. i urge you to do so and tell me then, how clean the lyrics are. i’m a musician. i listen to a lot of music. The rap today isn’t hip hop, nor is it gangsta rap. it’s mumble rap with N used way more frequently than you assume. I’m happy to list a dozen or so current artists. I know what I am talking about. I also have a kid at the school (who listens to metal, lyrics full of violence and gore). He has several friends in this class. I know a bit more about this.
i was in world of magic yesterday, group of about 15 kids came in, ages ranging from 12- to about 17. mixed races. N word used like it was going out of style. All of them acting and talking like rappers. So please don’t try to tell me i don’t know or am just creating junk arguments. It appears i know a bit more about this than you do and that’s not a jab. Perhaps what you listen to, doesn’t do this. Same with what i chose to listen to. That doesn’t mean it’s not there and doesn’t exist.
Agreed. Most everyone here is on the same page. Y’all make some compelling arguments and they made a horrible mistake. It wouldn’t have been a bad thing to, after reading a passage that used “bad words”, take the opportunity to discuss the period usage of the word(s) and how things might have changed since. I mean if you’re going to read this book then you should be taking a few minutes and discuss sociology a bit. Snoflakes indoctrination.
Wow…. I guess we know what the “O” in STEVE-O stands for now. “Lefty lib lunacy” as always, right? 🤣🙄
Nothing burger. Get over it.
WOW, BASIC… you don’t think a sub being removed from class for reading a racial slur written in classic literature is a nothing burger? No, but people being rescued and weather reports are absolute scandals, right?
No, the nothing burger/get over it is and at the District overreaction, dude.
BASIC – so subs ignoring their instructions is just a “get over it?” Point here, dude, is that you flail and wail about every thing that happens in this town, from someone being hired at the City to the weather being different. It’s just funny to see you wave this off. Racial slurs matter. No, they shouldn’t be removed when intentionally used in literature like this to give historical context, but their use and the emotions/history/societal effects behind them are hardly “nothing burgers” unless you’re an ignorant clod.
The sub made a “mistake” by reading actual American classic literature. I get you would want to make a big deal out of it, maybe censor the book entirely, or rewrite it. Grow up. Kids are way smarter than you think. Hilda and the District aren’t that smart either.
Basic, Lets not get started with book banning. ISIS MAGA Republican terrorists have banned over 10,000 books in public schools in just a few years.
BASIC – You don’t “get” anything if you think I oppose reading the word as written or want to censor it. You’re really quite dim here. The sub made no mistake other than ignoring the teacher’s instructions. If the sub should be penalized for anything, it’s that.
I think the teacher made the mistake by having a sub read the book out loud without prefacing the lesson with a discussion on the racial slurs she would be reading and the historical context behind them and instructing her to use different language.
“Hilda and the District aren’t that smart either.” They’re MILES more intelligent than you based on everything you’ve ever said here.
It is a word Basic is ok with. Not surprised.
MAGA censors rainbows. Can you imagine?
Ridiculous
The lesson missed here is that our constitution and system of laws allows past mistakes to be corrected.
Our experiential Democracy is (and has been) dynamic allowing it to develop!
The Supreme Court has overruled more than 300 of its own cases throughout history.
We have the opportunity (responsibility) to use laws to correct current and future injustices for systemic change, not to rewrite or deny history!
Partial censorship? These kids are allowed to hear and use sware words all day long, are told to read certain books, but barred from hearing the N-word read from of a great novel? If the district wants to vacuum all books off the shelves that kids read, containing offensive words and phrases, library shelves will will have a lot of empty spaces. How about banning the F-word if it is used more than 25 times during a conversation? What are you trying to protect these students from; the real world? Forgetaboutit!
People should use real words. Sware isn’t one of them.
I went to all the trouble to “Google” sware and the graph for “Use over time for: sware” shows it’s dropped pretty heavily since the 1800’s, but appears to be making a comeback oddly enough around 2016? Maybe G’s just making stuff now…
“sware
/swer/
verb
past tense: sware”
???
Hear hear!
Wow, BASIC is pretty excited about this so called “nothing burger!” He/she/it took the time to type out his/her/its joy.
Definitely a He/It. No Sherlocking required.
Those who forget history are condemned to repeat it. Perhaps the students need to take a break from being offended, and try thinking for a moment.
ZIPS – Your kind is the very last on earth to be able to say anything about learning from history.
What should the kids “think” about? The word is a racial slur and they have every right to be offended, especially if the teacher hasn’t taken the time to explain the context.
I get that you probably use that word a lot, but telling people not to be offended by it is pretty wild.
What no special counseling brought in for the victims?
Love this comment. Spot on, sadly.
Sounds like you two might need it.
STEVE O(dom) – why do you love the sarcastic “joke” about kids being affected by a racial slur? Why do you hate the thought of people born differently than you, with generations of racism and oppression in their families actually being upset about a racial slur?
The students are way smarter than you think, Karen. They can handle it. The nanny’ing play doesn’t work. Treat them like maturing young adults and let them think and talk about it. Censoring classic literature is absurd.
Basic, Then the students could handle reading about critical race theory and transgender people, correct?
GT – exactly. I’ll bet BASIC the 1000 he owes me (poser doesn’t know anything about pier fishing) that he won’t respond to that.
The N word is fine and shouldn’t bother kids, but learning about slaves and how this country was built on racism or how some kids don’t fit into the same “mold” as others?! NO WAY!!
Yeah, let them hear the N word but don’t you dare teach them the historical context.
BASICALLYEMPTY – “Karen?” Coming from the guy who was always crying everytime someone else used that word, it’s pretty funny. Look up the word “hypocrite.”
No one said they couldn’t handle it, you illiterate troll. The point was that Steve Odom and TINKER were “joking” about kids being offended by a racial slur. I’m sure that’s funny to you as well.
Finally, (boy dismantling and destroying your comments is really getting fun) no one EVER, ANYWHERE at ANYTIME has suggested censoring the book or any book.
Once again, learn to read. You are seriously hopeless when it comes to understanding words, even the ones you yourself type out.
Gee, Mr. Basic, the students are the ones who brought it to the Prinicpal’s attention because it upset them. I think people who are not involved in pedagogy should leave decisions about pedagogy to people who are trained to do so. You’re of course welcome to have an opinion, but unless you are up to your neck in training and current discussions among educators dealing with this clearly controversial and sensitive topic, telling teachers how to teach is way out of your league.
By the way, I think it’s odd to engage in adolescent name calling while asking that adolescents be treated like adults.
Lots of pedagogy, Kirk. Ok, sure thing. Here’s my take – this is completely overblown. Sorry you got offended, but that’s life.
I’m not offended at all. I’m just saying that you don’t have any visible expertise in making decisions about teaching literature to adolescents.
But if by “overblown”, you mean too many people blathering uneducated nonsense into public discourse, then I agree.
Basic defends racism here on a daily basis.
One other observation – Dare said , “I am grateful that a student reported the incident to the office during the period, so we were able to address it right away.” Kids reporting on their teachers, not for abuse, but for using “wrong” language, not directed at anyone, just reading from a book on the approved list. Most totalitarian states encourage family members to report other family members who do not “conform”. People should think hard about this. I expect hate speech on this. If this exists, then SOMEONE thinks it is necessary, and want to ensure that nobody “gets out of line”. Parents, make sure your kids are not ratting you out for doing something in the privacy of your home that is considered “inappropriate”, and I am not talking about abuse of any kind, which MUST be reported. No harm was done, even if some of you think it was – you are entitled to your opinions and beliefs, but please don’t impose them on me or my children, or my grandchildren, and on. This is the stupidest thing I have read in a long time, and I am embarrassed that it happened at my Alma Mater.
Agree with you Tex, this is so nanny it’s getting really, really stupid. Next thing you know a kid could get expelled for a verbal mistake. Out of control. Those in charge need to chill.