A Long Island middle school teacher is being investigated after reportedly asking students to write “funny” captions under photos of enslaved Black people.
According to Darlene McCurty, whose granddaughter attends John W. Dodd Middle School, the students received the “insensitive” assignment from Shelly Scully, a teacher at the school.
Though she was absent from class, McCurty’s granddaughter had friends who were present and felt disturbed by the project. Some of the handwritten captions included, “Black girls work hard, play hard,” and “Getting that money.”
According to the New York State Education Department, J.W. Dodd Middle School’s student population is 66% Hispanic and 25% Black.
McCurty, who said Scully is white, took to Facebook to address the matter and shared photos of the thoughtless assignment.
The Freeport Public Schools’ superintendent released a statement following the incident detailing the steps toward an investigation.
“The emotional and social wellness of our students is always our highest priority and we take any insensitive comments made by staff very seriously,” the statement read. “Since this matter involves a District employee and is a personnel matter, there will be no further comment until a thorough investigation and careful consideration of the facts of this matter are completed.”
NBC News reported the statement also included an apology from Scully.
“It is with the deepest sense of respect that I apologize to the students, families and larger Freeport community for my insensitive words and actions last week. As a teacher and fellow member of this school community, it is my responsibility to exercise the highest degree of care and thought in all of my student and staff interactions. I failed to do so last week, and I fully accept that I must work hard to rebuild trust from my students, colleagues and the community,” Scully said.
A spokesperson for the school district told Yahoo Lifestyle the teacher has been reassigned outside of the classroom until the investigation is completed.
