Dallas high school teacher lists accused Kenosha killer as possible ‘hero’ on assignment
A Dallas high school English assignment prompted backlash when the teacher asked students to choose a ‘hero’ to write about and included Kyle Rittenhouse on the list of options, according to media reports.
Rittenhouse is the 17-year-old accused of fatally shooting two people during a protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, after the police shooting of Jacob Blake.
The assignment was given by a teacher at W. T. White High School in Dallas, according to CBS 11. The teacher called the assignment “Hero for the Modern Age,” and listed both Rittenhouse and one of the protesters he is accused of killing, Joseph Rosenbaum, as people the students should write a brief biography about. The other people listed were Mahatma Gandhi, César Chávez, Malcolm X and George Floyd, according to CBS 11.
The second part of the assignment instructs students to choose which of the people they believe best represents a hero and write an essay on why, according to a copy of the assignment shared on social media.
Dallas ISD sent the following statement to the Star-Telegram in regard to the assignment:
“An unapproved assignment posted in Google Classroom yesterday has been brought to our attention. Understandably, this caused some concern for the impacted students, and we apologize. Campus administration immediately removed the unapproved content and students are not required to complete that assignment. Due to personnel policies, we are not able to comment further, however, the appropriate steps are being followed pending investigation.
“Racial equity is a top priority in Dallas ISD, and we remain committed to providing a robust teaching environment where all students can learn. It is important that we continue to be culturally sensitive to our diverse populations and provide a space of respect and value.”
