In the video clip released, the Viola Desmond Public School teacher can be seen surrounded by a crowd of students inside a classroom, talking to them about “using the N-word” before saying the racial slur.

Tristan, a mother to a student in the classroom at the time of the recording, told CityNews she was “shocked” after watching the video.

“My concern was the fact that this was not the first time she’s done it. She’s done it in the school prior, conveniently walking up on other Black students and hearing their conversation,” Tristan said. “What irked me was the fact she said, ‘if I said it, I’d be a racist, right?’ And then she said the word.”

“To hear added information that she also did this with other students at another school and it was swept under the rug, nobody reported it, nobody said anything,” she continued.

Tristan believes the best punishment for the teacher’s actions would be to remove her from teaching altogether. The teacher has been suspended for two weeks while the investigation is pending.

The upset mother added that education starts at home and within the community, insisting people need to stop making excuses for ignorant incidents such as these by defending it with the notion that “it’s just a word.”

“We need to do better as a community not to say that word because that’s when we allow other people to feel so comfortable to say it,” she said.

In a statement to CityNews, DDSB said it is not taking the matter lightly and disapproves of any racism in educational environments.

“We are investigating reports that a teacher used a racial slur in the classroom at Viola Desmond Public School,” the statement reads.

“We are taking this matter very seriously, and an occasional teacher is currently teaching this class while we conduct an investigation,” the statement continued. “Racist slurs and all forms of discrimination under the Human Rights Code cause harm and are unacceptable in our learning and working environments. We are taking steps to address this situation.”

The school board says it supports students impacted by the incident and the teacher’s words with guidance therapy.