Former Oshkosh teacher rebuts allegation they used racial slur in classroom

OSHKOSH – A Vel Phillips teacher accused of using a racial slur in the classroom is challenging those allegations.

Three months after being placed on administrative leave, the teacher believes it’s unfair they can no longer work in the Oshkosh school district after insisting they were wrongfully accused of saying the N-word.

In an exclusive interview with the Northwestern, the former middle school teacher said they were using the Chinese word for that, “Nèi Ge” — which they claim sounds similar to the N-word — in response to two Black students using the racial slur.

A Vel Phillips report obtained by the Northwestern paints a different picture, with an investigation revealing a video taken by a student capturing the teacher’s “repeated use of the N-word (with a hard ending) four times in rapid succession.”

The Northwestern was not able to acquire the video, but the report gives the account of two other staff members who also claim the teacher used the N-word repeatedly in a conversation with them following complaints from students.

The teacher's account appears to align with the Vel Phillips report outside of the accusation of them saying the N-word with a hard R ending.

However, the teacher denies ever saying a word that has a “hard R ending.”

Outside of that, the teacher’s account appears to align with the Vel Phillips report.

“It was fourth hour and two students walked in my class saying the N-word and F-word and I asked why they are saying that word because in Chinese the word means nothing but 'that,' and I said the word,” the teacher said about the incident.

“I took out my phone and I said how do you say 'that' in Chinese and Siri answered, so one of the African-American kids laughed, but I am not saying the N-word.

“A Chinese word is not an insult, but I traveled extensively so I have a different view and my level of education doesn’t allow me to be disrespectful to anyone,” they added.

The situation first came to light April 23, when the teacher was first placed on leave after Vel Phillips Middle School Principal Kristi Levy notified parents of children in the affected classroom of the allegations.

Levy then wrote a letter one week later informing the entire school body the teacher was no longer employed by OASD.

The teacher started with Vel Phillips on a temporary contract in December but that contract came to an end at the completion of the 2023-24 school year.

Their license is also expiring and the current application to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is pending review.

“Do they want to terminate my career?” they asked.

“It is defamation of character. I was sent on administrative leave, and I am not allowed to apply to any school positions, but what did I do?”

More schools: Oshkosh school board member resigns, district seeks to fill vacant seat

The Vel Phillips report's investigation findings point to the teacher using the N-word upwards of 20 times on April 23.

Investigation findings point to the teacher saying the N-word “upwards of 20+ times during the course of the school day on April 23, 2024” over two separate class periods and in conversations with staff.

According to the report, students asked permission to be outside of the teacher’s class because of their use of the N-word.

The report goes on to say the teacher felt they were discriminated against when the teacher claimed staff members allowed kids not to be in their room.

Those staff members said the teacher “repeated the whole 'N' word several times and that they didn’t understand if it was disrespectful or not.”

“I then explained to them that I thought everything they said was very offensive and disrespectful,” said one of the staff members in their interview.

The report states the teacher also defended their use of the N-word when Vel Phillips Middle School Assistant Principal Jacob Koellermeier removed them from the class to conduct an investigation.

During that interview, the report states the teacher said, “the N-word is not that big of a deal” and it is “predicated on the false cognates of the Chinese word 'That one.'”

“I am very disappointed in the way assistant principal treated me in that school and all I can say is they need to learn about cultures at Vel Phillips because in my opinion there is a huge need for diversity education,” the teacher said.

“I am an educator and all I am trying to do is say don’t say that word in a bad way because it means nothing in other languages.”

The teacher also questioned why the video was taken as evidence considering it is against the rules for students to be recording during school hours.

OASD declined to comment on the situation, but the report appears to follow the district’s protocols for handling accusations of staff members using racial slurs on school premises.

According to OASD Director of Community Engagement and Equity Anthony Miller, the process starts with a thorough and impartial investigation, which may lead to the staff member being placed on administrative leave.

The accused staff member is given an opportunity to respond to the allegations as part of that investigation before there is an evaluation of evidence. Disciplinary action is then taken if the investigation supports the allegation.

Miller acknowledged OASD is working toward improving its approach to racially sensitive matters through training of school staff.

“Last year, my training centered on implicit and unconscious bias, helping our educators recognize and address their own biases and understand how these can impact student interactions and outcomes,” Miller told the Northwestern.

“This year, we're rolling out the second iteration, which focuses on fostering a culture of bravery within our schools.

“Additionally, as part of our ongoing work, we will be enhancing our employee handbook with clear policies and guidelines on racial sensitivity and non-discrimination,” he added.

Golf Classic: Packers' NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Kramer to emcee Oshkosh Country Club Golf Classic

OASD didn't follow Wisconsin State Legislature of reporting teacher immoral conduct to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction said it hasn’t received a report of the teacher’s “immoral conduct” as of the writing of this article, and the Wisconsin State Legislature mandates boards to file such a report “within 15 days after the administrator becomes aware of the charge, conviction, dismissal, nonrenewal or resignation.”

“Immoral conduct” is defined by the state Legislature as “behavior that is contrary to commonly accepted moral or ethical standards and that endangers the health, safety, welfare, or education of any pupil.”

That report could have a significant impact on the teacher’s future in education considering the state superintendent can revoke their teaching license.

The teacher said they’re not looking into legal action because they would prefer to move on from the entire situation.

“I am afraid of retaliation, and I have to take care of myself,” the teacher said when asked about litigation.

“I am not here to have fights when my mission is as an educator. It’s just very sad how very ignorant people can be.”

Four years ago, University of Southern California professor Greg Patton found himself in a similar controversy when he was accused of using the N-word while saying “Nèi Ge” in a communications class.

Patton was reportedly discussing the use of pauses while speaking, giving the Chinese example for “that.”

Have a story tip or public interest concern? Contact Justin Marville at jmarville@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: Former Oshkosh teacher rebuts allegation they used racial slur in classroom