Disgraced ‘KKK teacher’ is back in the classroom
VIDEO - Catherine Ariemma was placed on administrative leave after she escorted students in Ku Klux Klan costumes through the school during lunchtime...
A Lumpkin County, Georgia High School teacher was back in the classroom Wednesday after a small group of her students walked the hallways in Ku Klux Klan costumes.
Catherine Ariemma has taught AP History for six years.
She was placed on administrative leave after she escorted those students through the school during lunchtime.
Ariemma said they were on their way to film part of their class project about American history and racism, but admitted that she should have alerted the administration and the student body about what they were doing.
“In hindsight, would I have them do that? Absolutely not,” Ariemma said.
Ariemma met with community leaders and school district officials Tuesday afternoon in a closed door meeting to discuss what happened.
After the meeting, community activist Reverend Markel Hutchins addressed reporters and characterized the sitdown as “productive”.
All parties agreed to some sort of sensitivity and/or diversity training for all school district employees in Lumpkin County.
Several local pastors, both black and white, promised to hold a town hall meeting in the coming weeks and invite parents, students and residents.
As for Ariemma’s future, the school district is still investigating the incident. Superintendent Dewey Moye has said he wants Ariemma to keep her job in part because he said she had a good track record at the school as an outstanding teacher.
School officials also say they will watch the videotaped AP History Project to determine if it is suitable for other students to view.
