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Medgar Evers Elementary Teachers Will Undergo Sensitivity Training

By Wendell Hutson | October 21, 2014 8:36am
 Tara Parker (from l.) , Annette Kimmons and Eugene Kimmons are Medgar Evers Elementary parents who are upset over remarks a teacher allegedly made to their children.
Tara Parker (from l.) , Annette Kimmons and Eugene Kimmons are Medgar Evers Elementary parents who are upset over remarks a teacher allegedly made to their children.
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DNAinfo/Wendell Hutson

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — All teachers at Medgar Evers Elementary School will undergo sensitivity training next month according to Chicago Public Schools officials after a fourth-grade teacher allegedly called students in her class ignorant and stupid earlier this month during recess.

"We are working with school leadership to ensure that our students feel supported in their studies and time at school," CPS spokesman Bill McCaffrey said.

According to some students and parents, the teacher called her class ignorant and stupid earlier this month during recess, when a ball she had given them to play with was kicked under a car.

Wendell Hutson describes the alleged incident:

"What she said was wrong and racist," said Eugene Kimmons, whose daughter was among the students in the class. "I had my daughter transferred to another class because I don't want my daughter to be degraded anymore."

Tara Parker, whose daughter is in the class, said some parents met with the teacher and Principal Caroline Ellis shortly after the incident but left the meeting unsatisfied.

"Even after admitting it, [the teacher] didn't apologize for what she said," Parker said. "She said in the meeting that she did not mean to hurt the kids' feelings."

The teacher declined to comment.

A Local School Council meeting was held Thursday at Medgar Evers, but the incident was not discussed, according to Necole Reid, president of the LSC.

"It's in CPS' hands now, so there was nothing for us to discuss," Reid said. "My son is in her class, and he told me a different version of what happened."

Reid said her son told her the teacher did use the words ignorant and stupid, but did not direct it to the class.

"I wish she never would have let those words come out her mouth, but I know she is not a racist or a bad person and loves being a teacher," Reid said. "In fact, I went on a field trip Friday with the class, and all the kids seemed happy, and no one was talking about this incident. I hope it stays that way."

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