Missouri High School Student Starts Suspension After Filming Teacher Using A Racial Slur

A Missouri high school student who videotaped her teacher saying the n-word repeatedly started a three-day suspension imposed by the school.

Administrators at Glendale High School in Springfield say 15-year-old Mary Walton violated one of its policies outlined in the student handbook when she filmed a teacher without permission.

Kate Welborn, Walton’s mother, said she was “genuinely shocked” her daughter received the three-day suspension which is the harshest possible punishment for “improper use” of an electronic device. Welborn said her daughter’s video provided context for the use of her phone.

Walton sent the video to her mom after the teacher threatened to send her to the office. She also shared the video with a friend, and it began circulating.

“I don’t think what he did was right,” said Walton, who is a sophomore.

The school principal notified parents and students of the video, adding “I want you to know that the comments expressed in the video are inappropriate, inexcusable and do not meet the professional standards of Springfield Public School employees.”

Following the school’s investigation, the teacher has resigned.

Sent Home

Walton’s suspension started Friday, and she will return to school on Wednesday. The family has hired an attorney, and the school is being criticized by several organizations for its punishment of Walton.

The Radio Television Digital News Association wrote a letter to Springfield Superintendent Grenita Lathan, urging acknowledgment of Walton’s right to record activity in public places.

In the letter RTDNA CEO Dan Shelley wrote, “The student says she was recording the teacher’s alleged racist remarks for the express purpose of making a record of the incident should the events in the classroom at that moment come into dispute. In our opinion, that makes her a lawful whistleblower, not a delinquent. She should be congratulated, not punished.”

The NAACP is also speaking out about the disciplinary action against Walton. Walton’s supporters hope the school will apologize and expunge the suspension from her record. The school has said it will not remove the suspension.