A teacher at Strongsville High School has been placed on administrative leave after writing a statement about Islam on the classroom whiteboard that some on social media said is offensive and intolerant and that the district said should not have been written.
A photo from the classroom posted online shows what was written:
Islamic = "Normal" believers
IslamIST = Terrorist
The image has been widely shared on social media. News 5 has since learned the photo was taken by a student at the school, but not of that teacher's class, who was walking by and saw what was written on the whiteboard.
The district sent an email to parents on Tuesday and said the teacher wrote a statement on the board during a lesson and discussion on Islam that "should not have been written."
In the email, the district said the superintendent, along with the high school principal, Bill Wingler, issued an apology to the Muslim community in Strongsville.
"Any written or spoken words that explicitly or implicitly offend another religion, race, or ethnicity does not represent the values that we expect from any staff member of Strongsville City Schools," The district wrote in the email. "We will continue to work toward creating a safe environment where all students are accepted, heard, and valued."
On Wednesday, counselors will be available at the school to meet with students who may need additional support. There will also be an extra police presence throughout the day at the high school.
Parents and members of the Muslim community in Northeast Ohio are reacting on social media to the image, with many seeing it as promoting hate and prejudice in the classroom and calling for the teacher's removal.
News 5's Nadeen Abusada is reporting more on this situation today and is working to learn more, including the context of the teacher's lesson.
