A middle school substitute teacher has resigned after allegedly telling a black student that his clothes were “prison” attire.
Billy Byrd, whose son Nathan attends Rand Road Elementary School in Garner, N.C., shared a post on Facebook claiming that the teacher, identified as Elizabeth Temple, also told students that President Trump was “holy,” and claimed that Martin Luther King Jr. was not assassinated.
“She told my son and his fellow male peers of color that their clothing marked them for PRISON…..YES PRISON!” Byrd wrote in the post. “To wear athletic apparel while being BLACK is obviously a MARK for long term imprisonment these days by racist radicals portraying to be godly and upright conservative Christians.”
{mosads}Yahoo Lifestyle, citing a spokesperson for the school, reported Tuesday that Temple had resigned.
“The school became aware of the students’ concerns Friday afternoon as classes were ending,” the spokesperson said. “The principal and staff talked with as many students as possible before the day ended. Based on those conversations, the substitute teacher was contacted over the weekend and immediately resigned. She is no longer eligible to teach in the district.”
Byrd told Yahoo Lifestyle and other outlets that Temple was frustrated that students were not sitting down, and then allegedly told students that if they do not support Trump, “you’re not a good Christian.”
She then began discussing King’s death, allegedly saying “he died by suicide — he wasn’t assassinated.”
Byrd said that his son called the teacher out on that comment, saying: “That’s not true.”
Nathan Byrd told WRAL that Temple targeted him.
“She said, ‘If y’all keep doing what you’re doing, you’re going to go to jail’. So, I stood up in front of the class and I said, ‘So, you’re basically going to predict my future that hasn’t even happened yet?'”
Nathan Byrd’s father is calling for “federal screening for substitute teachers” after the incident.
“When she brought it to that level, I think that’s when I as a parent, father, and African-American say listen this is wrong,” Byrd told ABC 11.
He also said he forgives Temple, but believes she should not be teaching children.
“I forgive you. I don’t have no hatred towards you,” he said. “However, I do feel that you should not have the ability to teach any children until you get the necessary help you need going forward.”
The Hill has reached out to the school for comment.