JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Duval County school teacher is suspended without pay after being accused of using a racial slur toward middle school students.
Teachers and students say they heard Ernest Woodard, an in-school suspension program teacher at Northwestern Middle School, use a term in a derogatory manner.
The district lists nine students and two teachers as witnesses.
The report details the alleged racial slurs were used in the gym where students reported after breakfast.
One student told investigators that "Mr. Woodard also told other students they were acting like a 'D.A.N.'” because they were talking.
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Another student said "knowing the meaning made her feel sad and disrespected because Mr. Woodard is the same race."
In separate interview, a student said that "Mr. Woodard said he used the terms to get students to focus."
The report also said an ESE teacher reported that Mr. Woodard told her that "D.A.N." could mean a racial slur.
According to the district's investigative report Woodard claims that he never used the term in a derogatory way and that "D.A.N." is short for Daniel, a childhood friend of his who would try to peer pressure him to do bad things.
Some students interviewed said they never heard Woodard use the term.