RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KNX) — A high school teacher in Riverside who was caught on video wearing a faux Native American headdress and performing an imitation war chant during a math class in October was fired last week after months of public backlash.
Advocates representing tribes indigenous to the Riverside area addressed a meeting of Riverside Unified School District Board of Education last week and reportedly cheered when it was announced the teacher would be terminated.
Board members voted to fire the teacher in a four-to-one vote.
School district officials have not confirmed the identity of the fired teacher. Media reports have identified her as Candice Reed, however. She taught math at John W. North High School and was placed on leave last fall as an investigation into the incident was undertaken.
District spokesperson Diana Meza said the former teacher may request a hearing in front of a state commission, and subsequently appeal the decision — a process that could take up to three years.
