High school teacher placed on leave for using n-word during class discussion

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share via Email
• Copy Link

  Link Copied

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) — A Newport News, Virginia, high school teacher has been placed on administrative leave after using a racial epithet while discussing the use of derogatory names.

Multiple media outlets report that Heritage High School teacher Lynne Pierce, who is white, was holding a classroom conversation during an Advanced Placement history class last week in which the students were discussing racism and derogatory terms.

Pierce says a student asked her why some people object to the Washington Redskins football team’s name. She responded by comparing the name to a hypothetical sports team’s name, using a racial slur that refers to blacks.

Pierce says a student complained and she was placed on leave by school administrators after the school day ended.

Newport News Public Schools spokeswoman Michelle Price said in a statement that officials are investigating the matter.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.