KIRKWOOD, Mo. – Some parents in the Kirkwood School District are upset after the parent of a Jewish student claimed a middle school teacher made comments that seemed to deny the Holocaust happened.
The incident happened back on August 14 during curriculum night at Nipher Middle School. The parent, who asked not to be identified in this story, said the incident unfolded after parents noticed the eighth-grade social studies teacher had a Palestinian flag on display in his classroom but not an Israeli one.
The parent, who is a descendant of a Holocaust survivor, said she confronted the teacher and urged him to also display an Israeli flag or take the Palestinian flag down. She said the teacher described the Holocaust as “her version of history.”
Nearly two weeks have passed; the district still employs the teacher.
District spokesperson Steph Deidrick provided FOX 2 with the following statement:
School administration and district staff have been engaged with families who expressed concern about a flag displayed in a middle school social studies classroom. While we have received questions about the specifics of the situation, we cannot provide details or information that would violate the confidentiality of those involved. We can assure our community that our schools are safe and inclusive spaces for our students. We directly address issues that are brought forward and work to foster a learning community built on respect and a culture of dignity. Our goal is to approach conflict with a restorative lens so that we can address harm in a way that our staff, students and families feel respected, supported and valued.
As we look to learn and grow from the conversations that have been generated, we are engaging with faith leaders in the Jewish community and have approached the regional office of the Anti-Defamation League about educational resources they provide. These are ongoing and productive conversations, and we appreciate the willingness of these organizations and individuals to participate in constructive conversation.
The district has taken action, partnering with faith leaders in the Jewish community and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) to help promote more constructive, inclusive dialogue.
ADL Regional Director Jordan Kadosh said their programs help students and staff understand and respect other perspectives, hopefully preventing conflicts like this from happening in the first place.
“We find that once the students are engaged in actively improving their own campuses, that the door is open for professional development for the teachers as well,” he said.
Kadosh said their programs also allow students to take initiative in fostering a more inclusive environment for everyone.
“It really harnesses the power of the student voice and allows the student themselves to shape the direction they’d like to see the campus go in. How to confront their own bias and eventually become allies and champion justice,” he said.
The Kirkwood Board of Education held a meeting Monday night, where they acknowledged they had heard from concerned parents. They said the district is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
