Teacher Who Made “Go Back to Mexico” Comment Reinstated

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ARLINGTON, Texas - An Arlington math teacher on leave for telling one of her students to “Go back to Mexico” will soon be back in the classroom.

Shirley Bunn has been on paid leave from Barnett Junior High since Sept. 30. She admitted she lost her temper in front of students that day.

According to public documents, a student who had a history of being disruptive repeatedly asked her for a form printed in Spanish by saying, “I’m Mexican. I’m Mexican.”

The documents said Bunn tried to tell him that he could get the forms in the office but he continued to argue with her and repeat, “I’m Mexican.”

In response, Bunn blurted out “Then go back to Mexico.”

An independent hearing examiner who reviewed the incident advised the school district not to fire the 24-year teaching veteran because “under the circumstances when taken in the context of the moment and the lack of intent for ‘Go back to Mexico’ to be a racially or nationality-based pejorative remark, I find it was not a remark of an egregious nature.”

He also cited her student approval, excellent appraisals, two “Teacher of the Year” awards and volunteer efforts with a Hispanic heritage organization.

On Thursday night the school board accepted his recommendation and agreed to reinstate Bunn. However, she likely won't return to her old classroom at Barnett.

A teary-eyed Bunn said she misses her students. This is the worst thing she’s ever been through, she said.

The disruptive student and his parents also attended the meeting but did not want to comment. A spokesperson for the League of United Latin American Citizens said the organization had hoped the school board would not tolerate racism.

Teacher Who Made “Go Back to Mexico” Comment Reinstated: MyFoxDFW.com

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