STRONGSVILLE, Ohio — A Strongsville High School teacher has been placed on paid administrative leave after allegedly writing an Islamophobic message during classes Tuesday.
According to an email to families from Superintendent Dr. Cameron M. Ryba, the teacher wrote the phrase on the board during a lesson and discussion with students about Islam. A photo of the incident obtained by 3News showed the message read "Islamic = 'Normal' believers" with "IslamIST = Terrorist" was written underneath.
"As Superintendent, along with SHS Principal, Mr. Bill Wingler, we would like to issue an apology to our Muslim community," Ryba said. "Any written or spoken words that explicitly or implicitly offend another religion, race, or ethnicity does not represent the values that we expect from any staff member of Strongsville City Schools. We will continue to work toward creating a safe environment where all students are accepted, heard, and valued."
Shadi Taha, a Palestinian who has a preschooler in the district, told WKYC he was "shocked" when he saw the picture of the message.
"The first thing that I did was I called the high school and spoke to the principal just before I jumped to conclusions to make sure that it was real," Taha noted. "I felt a lot better. He apologized and told me that it stands against their beliefs, and that it was immediately erased off the board, and that he acknowledged that it was wrong and that he was going to speak to the teacher about it."
Other parents share Taha's outrage, especially as the war between Israel and Hamas causes heightened tensions not just abroad but here at home, as well. Since the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas and subsequent Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip, FBI Director Christopher Wray has reported a rise in both antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents across the United States.
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One Strongsville mother told WKYC Wednesday she now fears for her daughter's safety, because equating Islam with terrorism could cause her child to be attacked. According to Taha, an Islamist is simply a person who believes strongly in Islam and that it's a religion of peace.
"Islamists firmly denounce violence and all forms of terrorism," Taha said. "That goes against what we believe. We believe against terrorism."
Still, Taha says he's willing to forgive the teacher, as long as he gets educated about their error.
"I hope that this mistake that happened was out of ignorance, and it wasn't an act of racism," he said. "It's important that the situation gets rectified because a big mistake like this can initiate hate crimes, especially during times like this."
In another email to parents and students, the teacher in question stated his intentions were not racially driven. Zahid Siddiqi, a Muslin with three kids attending Strongsville schools, believes him.
"I believe him that he didn't mean it," Siddiqi said, "but ... he should say that he was wrong. That's all."
Counselors were made available at Strongsville High Wednesday to discuss the situation with students who wish to do so. There was also a higher police presence at the school, as a precaution.