Watch CBS News

South Bay High School Teacher On Leave After Profanity-Laced Tirade

HARBOR CITY (CBSLA.com) — A South Bay-area teacher whose profanity-laced classroom outburst was recorded by a student has been placed on leave, according to reports Wednesday.

KNX 1070's Megan Goldsby reports the English teacher at a pilot school on the campus of Narbonne High in Harbor City was apologetic after the audio clip went viral.

South Bay High School Teacher On Leave After Profanity-Laced Tirade

The tirade, which reportedly occurred on Sept. 26 during class at the Humanities & Arts (HArts) Academy of Los Angeles, came while the unidentified teacher was apparently trying to distinguish the difference between "race" and "ethnicity" when one of her 12th-grade students continued to disagree with her.

The female student then taped the ensuing outburst on her cell phone. A copy of the file was obtained by the Daily Breeze.

In the clip, the teacher yells, "I know my f--ing s--t. Don't f--- with that. I'm tired of trying to educate you, and you guys resist every step of the f---ing way. Get the f--- out of here."

The audio clip (WARNING: Explicit language) quickly went viral at the new performing arts school and appeared to violate the LAUSD's code of ethics, which urges teachers to avoid "engaging in any behaviors, either directly or indirectly with a student(s) or in the presence of a student(s), that are unprofessional, unethical, illegal, immoral, or exploitative."

"I'm pretty surprised. I mean it's kinda strange to hear from a teacher," said Narbonne High student Joel Garcia. "They're so educated and you never might hear that from an educated person."

The taped teacher said she suspects a fellow teacher may have helped disseminate the recording, Goldsby reported. She has also apologized for her behavior, citing stress linked to medical issues and a tense atmosphere at work, according to the Breeze.

The LAUSD declined an interview request but confirmed the recording is an employee at the performing arts school but have not identified her by name.

The district said she has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.