Summary: A Florida teacher has been suspended after an investigation determined he used the N-word and was inappropriate verbally with students.
Another Florida teacher is finding themselves in hot water for their behavior in front on their students. A Jacksonville middle school teacher has been suspended for using the N-word in front of his 7th and 8th grade students. Teacher David Swinyar is accused of telling his students not to be romantically involved with African Americans “because they are not worth it” and other inappropriate behavior for a teacher. Swinyar taught math at Kernan Middle School, which has 1,148 students, of which 22.6 percent are African-American, according to CNN.
One of Swinyar’s student’s told a school board investigator on October 6, 2017 that they were discussing relationships. “If your boyfriend says bad things to you and/or treats you wrong, that means he’s acting like a n*****. You all should not be dating all these different African-American boys because they are not worth it.”
Investigators were already looking into another report about his use of racist remarks in August 2017. In that incident, a student claimed that Swinyar used the N-word during an argument with a student. A student reported, “If my daughter was dating someone who used the “f” word, I wouldn’t have any respect for that n****.” A student confronted Swinyar about using the racial slur but he denied saying it. He said, “I would never say that, but if I did, I am sorry.”
The students also claimed that Swinyar told them that he attended an African-American church to make fun of the way the preacher preached. The teacher also reportedly made fun of some of the students, calling them “dumb.”
Swinyar was given a 10-day unpaid suspension for his actions on top of a letter of reprimand and a mandatory referral to the Employee Assistance Program. Duval County Schools Superintendent Patricia Willis told CNN via a letter: “Following the employee’s suspension without pay, he will be reassigned to an appropriate district position with no contact with students for the remainder of the year. As an annual contract employee, Mr. Swinyar’s employment contract with the district expires June 30, 2018. In May, recommendations for contract renewals for all annual employees will be considered.”
Florida Education Association communications director Sharon Nesvig said, “One of the FEA’s core values is to value and respect the diversity among all individuals. So, clearly FEA is opposed to using racial slurs and derogatory language inside or outside the classroom.”
Heavy.com reports that the middle school teacher is also accused of staring at the breast of his female students and yelling at students in a “physically aggressive manner.” Swinyar has been with the school district since 2012.
Do you think the evidence is enough for an immediate termination? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
To learn more about other Florida teachers, read these articles:
- Florida Teacher Removed from School for Participating in White Nationalist Podcast
- Non-Spanish Speaking Woman Sues for Not Getting Spanish Teacher Job
- Teacher Blames Sex with Student on Midlife Crisis
Photo: abc13.com