Teacher Tells Student To Sit Her Nappy-Headed Self Down and Somehow That Makes The Principal Happy

June 4th, 2012 - By Brande Victorian

I can’t even imagine a teacher having the nerve to say this to a student but according to 13-year-old Brea Persley, her science teacher at Inglewood’s Century Academy of Excellence told her in front of the entire class last week to “sit your nappy-headed self down.” And what’s worse is that the student has since been removed from the school after her mother complained about the teacher’s insensitive comment.

Although the teacher, Kelly Dempsey, called the family and apologized for making the comment, that was nowhere near enough of a response for Brea’s mother Shronda Williams. She requested a meeting with school principal Giselle Edman, but she hardly received an apology, in fact the mother says the principal told her she was “happy” the teacher made the comment and that “bad things need to happen to mean kids.”

I can only imagine what the mother’s response was, and whatever it was it was enough to cause the principal to expel Brea from school “due to the fact that you scolded the principal.” Sounds like someone has a bit of an inflated sense of self.

Regarding the “mean kids” comment, Shronda admitted that her daughter did get into a fight on campus and has been cited for tardiness and gum chewing but I hardly thing that warrants the comment she received. Brea told KTLA:

“When the kids started laughing, it brought back the memories of when I was in 4th grade and kids used to laugh at me and tease me.”

The Inglewood principal refused to comment on the situation, meanwhile Brea’s family says it’s filing a complaint with the school’s accreditation agency and is trying to figure out how to get Brea the final three weeks of school she needs before summer break. It appears no disciplinary action is being taken against the teacher at all making this situation and all around mess.

What do you think should have happened after the science teacher made this comment?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1246204358 Janice Robinson-Celeste

    You don’t degrade children or make them fell less than what they are no matter what! If the principal had an issue with the girl being mean then take that up with the parents ahead of time and she had better have documentation. Brea should have told her and the class, “My naps are gorgeous — don’t hate on me because you can only get your hair in one style!” None of these people need to be in charge of children. What you can now teach their brain but degrade their psyche? That’s appropriate now? That’s just verbal abuse!