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A Tennessee Teacher at New Vision Academy Charter School has been suspended after video circulated on social media of someone removing a student's religious head scarf was traced back to the teacher.
According to News 4 in Nashville, the video was posted on the teacher's Snapchat account with the caption "pretty hair."
The footage shows the student wearing the hijab hiding her face while someone removes the scarf, exposing her hair to the classroom. Several students are seen playing with the girl's hair while she attempts to readjust it.
News 4 reports that one person was heard telling the student "her hair was too pretty to be covered."
A second video was also posted with the caption "lol all that hair covered up."
In a statement to the news station last week, Malone wrote 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.
-Tim Malone, Ed.D.Executive DirectorNew Vision, Inc. & New Vision Academy