A teacher in Florida has been removed from the classroom after video showed a Black doll hanging from a cord, district officials said.
A teacher in Florida has been terminated after video surfaced showing a Black doll hanging from a cord in a classroom, district officials said. The footage, taken Monday at Barrington Middle School in Lithia, shows art teacher Karen Savage wrapping a charger cord around the doll's neck and hanging it over a classroom television, according to Nina Williams, whose 14-year-old son captured the incident now being probed by district officials.
"Look at the photo," Williams wrote in a lengthy Instagram post.
"Look at the video. When the children called out this blatant, disgusting act of hate and asked why she hung that doll by its neck, she laughed it off. Her excuse to our kids was that she did it 'to get their attention.
'"early Wednesday, said Savage's actions"deeply offended and disturbed" each child in the multicultural classroom. "This is NOT a classroom management tool," Williams wrote. "This is straight up hate and trauma being weaponized in front of our children in a place where they are supposed to be safe.
" Savage has been terminated from her role and the incident has been reported to the Florida Department of Educations Office of Professional Practice Services for potential action regarding her teaching certificate, according to a statement provided to"We want to reiterate that we do not tolerate conduct of this nature," Hillsborough County Public Schools chief of communications Tanya Arja said in a statement. "We took immediate action and responded swiftly to ensure the situation was handled appropriately.
Our school counselors and administrators will continue to be available to meet with any students at Barrington Middle School who have concerns or need additional support.
""The content of this display is unacceptable and does not reflect the values of our school community, or me as your superintendent, and will not be tolerated,” he said. "We are committed to fostering a caring, supportive learning environment where every student feels respected, valued, and safe. We recognize that incidents like this cause concern among students, families, and the broader community.
""After I saw what was happening, I just, like, decided that, like, I wanted to get proof that it actually happened," Noah told WFLA. "She followed me after class was over, and that's when she started talking over me and not letting me speak when I was trying to report what she did. ""Everybody started telling her it was wrong and racist to do that,” he told WTSP.
"And then she said it was just a joke, and then she took down the doll. ""We don’t want to remember lynchings and Jim Crow and separation and division, and we try to get away from all of those things,” she said. "Our children are supposed to be able to go to school and not have to worry about being reminded of our past, of things that we had to experience.
""To have this depiction done in front of students, where there were African American students in class, it’s shameful," Kimberly Washington told WFLA. Williams, meanwhile, accused the teacher of simulating a"lynching in a classroom" and vowed to not let district officials downplay the incident.
"I already said he is not going back," she wrote on Facebook late Monday. "I don't trust them until they get this taken care of and make us feel comfortable. He can do everything from home. "
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Investigations into inappropriate Texas student-teacher relationships have spikedLast summer, state lawmakers passed legislation harshening penalties for improper relationships.
Read more »
Florida State Finally Lands Quarterback For #Tribe27 Recruiting ClassThe Seminoles have landed three-star quarterback Logan Flaherty.
Read more »
Spanish Fort Elementary special education teacher named Alabama's 2026-27 Teacher of the YearA Spanish Fort elementary school special education teacher was named Alabama's 2026-27 Teacher of the Year, receiving statewide recognition, a new vehicle, and an opportunity to visit schools in other counties.
Read more »
Florida's 2027 Class Is Stacking + What Does a Good Year 1 Under Sumrall Look Like?Florida's 2027 recruiting class ranks top five nationally with elite trench talent. Plus, what Year 1 success looks like under Jon Sumrall.
Read more »