A substitute English teacher at Woodbury High School who placed a student on the ground during a class on Monday “as part of a reenactment of the police actions that resulted in the murder of George Floyd” has been banned from teaching in the district, South Washington County School District officials said.

The reenactment was one of several “inappropriate and racially-harmful” actions taken by the teacher over the course of four class periods that were “unprovoked by anyone,” according to a letter sent to students, parents and staff.

Students told district officials that the substitute teacher, believed to be a police officer in Wisconsin, “said he thought students would want to hear about his life as a police officer,” the letter states.

Students reported that the substitute teacher told sexist jokes; repeatedly made racially harmful comments; spoke in disturbing detail about dead bodies he had seen; shared explicit details about two sexual-assault cases he investigated, and “stated that ‘police brutality’ isn’t real.”

As soon as school officials learned about the incidents, the teacher was removed from the classroom and escorted off the premises, district officials said.

“I specifically want to acknowledge racial harm that occurred when the substitute teacher reenacted the prone restraint that resulted in the murder of George Floyd,” Principal Sarah Sorenson-Wagner, Superintendent Julie Nielsen and Assistant Superintendent Kristine Schaefer wrote in the letter. “This reported behavior is reprehensible. I am embarrassed, and I am sorry this happened to our students. We will take as much time as students need to listen and create open space for courageous conversations that lead to healing, action and education.”

District officials said Tuesday that they have submitted a report on the substitute teacher’s actions to the Minnesota Department of Education and the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board. They also are collaborating with the Woodbury Police Department to investigate the matter, district officials said.

The substitute teacher has covered seven times for teachers in the district since he was hired by Teachers On Call, the district’s substitute contracted vendor, in March 2024, district officials said. His assignment on Monday was his second time substituting this school year; he previously subbed at Woodbury Middle School on Oct. 1, district officials said.

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