Nashville Teacher Suspended After Student's Hijab Ripped Off

NASHVILLE, TN — A Nashville charter school suspended a teacher after video emerged showing a student's hijab being pulled off during class.

In two videos posted to Snapchat, the student can be seen covering her face as her headcovering is removed in a classroom at New Vision Academy and other students are playing with her hair. Two videos — captioned "pretty hair" and "lol all that hair cover up" — were reportedly posted to the teacher's social media account and sent to WSMV by a concerned viewer.

The school's principal, Tim Malone, initially told the station that the teacher denied making the video and that exposing the girl's hair was not mean to be disrespectful. The student's mother and teacher were shown the video and told WSMV "This should never happen."

Later Wednesday, Malone sent a statement to Channel 4 saying the teacher had been suspended without pay.

New Vision Academy is a diverse school. As a school community, we pride ourselves on embracing and celebrating our racial, ethnic, religious and economic diversity. Our students learn, and grow, best when they learn from one another. To foster this environment, all students must feel respected and supported. The actions depicted in the Snapchat video do not reflect the values, culture or climate of New Vision Academy. New Vision Academy will continue to emphasize that all staff members act in a way meant to empower and inspire our students. New Vision will use this video as an opportunity to press forward with increasing cultural sensitivity and awareness among all members of the New Vision community. The staff member in question has been suspended, without pay, and we have had direct discussions with the students depicted in the Snapchat. New Vision Academy apologizes for this unfortunate incident, and will be better in the future.

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