Math Teacher Is In Big Trouble After Her “Offensive” Lesson Goes Public

The John W North High School will forever go down in history as being the place where math teacher Candice Reed taught her offensive trigonometry lesson. The teacher, who was caught on video during class, proceeded to wear a hand-crafted Native American headdress while chanting the math terms, “SOH CAH TOA,” to her shocked students. When the video made its way to Shadae Johnson, an Urban Indigenous Peoples Advisory Council Member, she decided to share the video on social media and call for the John W North High School to do something to punish Reed for her offensive math lesson.

Reed’s display was an attempt by her to get her students to memorize the trigonometric functions sine, cosine, and tangent. Since her class lesson went viral, the Riverside Unified School District condemned the teacher and said they do not condone her lesson or behavior. Reed has been put on leave while the school district does a more thorough investigation into the matter at hand.

The school district’s spokesperson, Justin Grayson, said the teacher was trying to explain how mathematicians at one time believed nature and life could be expressed through shapes like triangles. He went on further to say that Reed meant no harm by her lesson and just wanted students to understand the value of mathematics throughout history.

Reed has been a math teacher for the last 20 years and has been teaching at John W North High School since 2009.

Reed’s lesson caused a major uproar in her community, which is why she was placed on leave while an investigation into the matter took place. Johnson claims Reed’s actions were not only offensive but also insensitive to Native Americans living in Riverside County.

The school district has stated that they do not condone Reed’s behavior or lesson, and she will remain on leave while an investigation takes place.

Reed’s attempt to get her students to memorize the trigonometric functions sine, cosine, and tangent was in no way meant to be offensive; however, Reed’s actions were offensive not only because it was an attempt to belittle Native American communities but also because she wore a hand-crafted headdress while chanting math terms.

“These behaviors are completely unacceptable and an offensive depiction of the vast and expansive Native American cultures and practices,” the district said in a statement to the community. “We are deeply committed to implementing inclusive practices and policies that honor the rich diversity of our district and the greater region. We will be working with our students, families, staff, and community to regain your trust.”

The student decided to film the teacher’s offensive math lesson after Reed had already spent several minutes “war hooping and tomahawk chopping.” The student “felt that violence was being committed against him, and he had the right to record.”

Reed will remain on leave, during which time the school district investigates her behavior in an attempt to make sure this kind of incident does not happen again.

Do you agree that this teacher’s lesson was inappropriate and has no place in the classroom?