A high school educator is currently under scrutiny for her inappropriate behavior during a recent virtual lesson. Nicole Simmons, a Spanish teacher and advisor for the Class of 2022 at Grant High School, has been recorded using a racist gesture to characterize individuals of East Asian descent. The video, which circulated on social media, shows Simmons making a “slant eyes” face, a derogatory stereotype, while instructing her students on how to identify someone’s ethnicity. She stated, “If your eyes go up, you’re Chinese. If they go down, they’re Japanese. If they’re just straight, you don’t know,” while pulling her eyes in various directions.
The Twin Rivers Unified School District expressed its shock and disappointment at the incident, promptly launching an investigation. In light of the alarming rise in anti-Asian violence—over 20 attacks reported in recent weeks—the district reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a safe and respectful environment for all students. District spokesperson, Lisa Green, emphasized that such behavior is unacceptable and does not reflect the values of the Twin Rivers community.
A student in the background of the video remarked, “I should, I should leave your class right now,” indicating the discomfort felt among students. School Board President Tom Harris voiced his disapproval on social media, stating that the board was “stunned and appalled” by the teacher’s comments and assured that the situation is being taken seriously.
In response to the incident, the Sacramento Asian/Pacific Islander Regional Network launched a Change.org petition urging the district to take action against Simmons. The petition calls for a public apology, mandatory racial sensitivity training, and the implementation of a robust ethnic studies curriculum in the Twin Rivers Unified School District. The authors of the petition highlighted the alarming statistic that 2,808 anti-Asian hate incidents have been reported nationwide since the pandemic began.
It is disheartening to witness such incidents occurring in 2021.
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Summary
A high school teacher is under investigation after making racist gestures during a Zoom class. Nicole Simmons used offensive stereotypes to describe East Asian individuals, prompting outrage from the community and a call for action from local organizations. The school district has condemned the behavior and is taking steps to address the situation.