The teacher, and students impacted, have been interviewed as part of the investigative process into the incident

By Tommy Osborne

Education

“We have to set the bar:” SD57 Superintendent reacts to teacher using slur in classroom

Feb 27, 2025 | 4:47 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – A video of a teacher at D.P. Todd Secondary School saying a derogatory racial slur quickly went viral on Monday, which has since sparked an investigation into the incident by School District 57, and the teacher placed on leave.

“We want to make sure that we have the full picture before deciding how we should be moving forward. But it’s not language that should be used in any school setting at all, and that was part of what I was reinforcing with students today when I met with them, that whether we use these words casually or whether we use them formally, school is not a place for that kind of language to happen,” Aziz said.

The investigation includes interviews with the teacher and any students involved, and while Aziz himself is not a part of the investigative team, he has met with several students and families to hear their thoughts.

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“There’s a little bit of surprise that a teacher, somebody who is respected, obviously is a role model in the school, would be using that kind of language. But I think there’s also the understanding that there’s an opportunity for further conversation, and as an education system, we have a responsibility to raise the conduct of professionalism and expectation. But because this is a viral post, it certainly is creating conversation in our other high schools and probably high schools across British Columbia,” Aziz said.

Aziz explained he is not directly involved in the investigation, and has not watched the video, because he aims to remain impartial. He says he will wait to hear all the facts of the investigation before either making a decision, or greenlighting a decision made by the investigation team. Aziz adds he hopes this can be used as a moment to reflect and grow from a troubling incident within what should be an inlcusive environment.

“I’m very much a see something, say something person, and our students have actually articulated to myself through our Students Advisory Council that they hear language being spoken in schools, and they feel that sometimes the adults are not responding to that language. We need to raise our expectations, and we need to make sure that our staff understands that we have to set the bar as to what’s acceptable in schools and what’s not,” Aziz said.

Given the viral nature of the video, the issue has now grown beyond just D.P. Todd, and all schools within SD57 have now been engaged in conversations surrounding this incident and how school staff can work to create a more inclusive environment for students.

“We strive to make sure that our schools are safe and inclusive environments for all of our students, where they can attend free of harassment and free of feeling any negativity. And although that’s really the goal, we don’t achieve that every single day. But I want to assure parents that when these incidents occur, we do take them seriously and we do our best to manage them and then to move on. And this perhaps is a teachable moment for some of the adults and other students across our district,” Aziz said.

President of the Prince George District Teachers’ Association Katherine Trepanier provided a statement in response to the incident.

“The Prince George District Teachers’ Association, with the support of the BCTF, will be involved in any investigation of this matter. We take our responsibilities to our members and students seriously. Any questions about the matter, including the investigation, should be directed to the school district, the employer.

The BCTF has a long history of anti-racism work, beginning back in 1975. Through official policy, professional development, curriculum, and provincial conferences, such as our most recent Anti-Racism conference held last November, we have demonstrated a deep commitment to education for a racism-free future.”

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