Karen Savage, a middle school in Hillsborough County Art Teacher allegedly fired over video of hanging black baby toy doll through its neck. The video was posted on social media by the student’s mother, Nina Williams, and quickly gained widespread attention.
Savage’s firing was reported by local news outlets, who reported that the clip that got Savage into trouble was recorded by a 14-year-old student at Lithia’s Barrington Middle School. Florida.
In the video, Savage can be seen apparently tying the doll to a cable connected to the classroom television.
“Today at Barrington Middle School in Florida (Hillsborough County Public School System), her art teacher took the time to wrap a charging cord around the neck of a black doll and hang it directly on the classroom TV for the whole room to see. Look at the photos. Look at the videos. She laughed it off when the kids called out this blatant, disgusting act of hate and asked her why she had that doll hanging around her neck. Her excuse to our kids was that she was doing it to “let their kids know. Watch out,'” Williams Wrote.
She added: “This has emotionally affected all the children in the classroom. My son’s friends of different cultures and races are deeply offended and upset by this racist behavior. These children have banded together today, seized on the evidence, and written a formal statement. This is not a classroom management tool. This is in front of our children, in a place where he The direct weaponization of hate and trauma where we should be safe. We spoke with the principal and we were told the decision is now in the hands of the principal. The Hillsborough County School Board/Professional Standards Department is watching closely and we are waiting to see if they will protect our children or the teacher who is simulating a lynching in the classroom.”
Amid the outrage, here’s everything you need to know about Karen Savage.
Karen Savage: 5 things to know
- Noah Carter, the student who shot Savage, 63, described the encounter with the art teacher as disturbing.
- According to Carter, when he tried to report the incident to the Office of Student Affairs, Savage followed him and even talked to him as he tried to recount what happened in the classroom.
- According to the New York Post, Carter’s mother, Nina Williams, then shared Savage’s alleged social media profile. These personal data have now been deleted. HT.com Can confirm. As seen in the screenshots, her Instagram and Facebook profiles show that she is married to John Savage. Screenshots of her alleged Facebook account showed her full name was Karen Whitmire Savage, showing she had been married to him since 2017.
- Savage reportedly has four daughters, stepsons and grandchildren, according to a bio Williams shared on Instagram.
- Screenshots of her alleged Facebook profile also show she attended Florida State University in London and, earlier, Lake Wales High School. She also appears to live in Lake Wales, according to the alleged Facebook screenshot. “Being an art teacher is my gift and passion,” her Instagram bio reads.
Local channel WTSP also shared statement Information from the school district regarding the Savage incident.
Hillsborough County Public Schools said: “Ms. Savage’s employment has been terminated, effective immediately, and the incident has been reported to the Florida Department of Education’s Office of Professional Practice Services for any action against her teaching credentials. We want to reiterate that we will not tolerate conduct of this nature. We took immediate action and responded quickly to ensure the situation was handled appropriately. Our school counselors and administrators will continue to meet with any Barrington Middle School student who has concerns or needs additional support.”
