An Arizona teacher (Ms. Myles) abused, physically assaulted, and taunted a Somali Muslim sixth grader (A.A.) and other students. Every student deserves the right to an education regardless of their race, sex, color, national origin, ethnicity, or religion. All students have the right to learn in a safe and welcoming environment. Ms. Myles has committed physical violence and verbal assault against multiple Muslim students attending Academy of Excellence.

Despite Ms. Myles' hateful acts, she continues to be employed by the Academy of Excellence, a charter school located in Phoenix Arizona. The Academy of Excellence was notified of Ms. Myles’ derogatory language and abuse of students on multiple occasions and the school refused to address these incidents. Instead, the school demanded that A.A. withdraw from the Academy. The Academy of Excellence has knowingly allowed danger and harm to continue to be present in their classroom. Ms. Myles is a threat to the safety of the students attending Academy of Excellence.

On 10/28/16, the ACLU filed a complaint to the Department of Justice (DOJ) against the Academy of Excellence for violating Title IV of the Civil Rights Act. The complaint details many incidents in which Ms. Myles used physical violence and verbal assault against several Muslim students attending Academy of Excellence. For a moment let’s focus on A.A., a young boy whose refugee family re-settled in the U.S. from Somalia. Here are some of the incidents detailed within the ACLU complaint in which Ms. Myles viciously attacked her elementary students:

Ms. Myles’ violent and discriminatory behavior towards A.A.:
1. “Ms. Myles assaulted A.A. One day, when he continued to talk to a classmate she slammed her hands down on her desk and then walked over to him, grabbed him by his neck, and choked him tightly until his eyes began to water.”
2. Ms. Myles told A.A: “All you Muslims think you are so smart. I can’t wait until Trump is elected. He’s going to deport all you Muslims. Muslims shouldn’t be given visas. They’ll probably take away your visa and deport you. You’re going to be the next terrorist, I bet.”
3. “On one occasion, A.A.’s teacher showed a video to the class about 9/11 terrorists and then said to A.A. in front of the entire class, ‘That’s going to be you,’ suggesting that he was destined to become a terrorist himself.”
Ms. Myles’ violent and discriminatory behavior towards other students:
4. “Ms. Myles repeatedly and for no good reason, referred to her students (many of whom are immigrants from African nations) by their national origins: ‘Little African girl. Your sisters from the continent of Africa. Sun-kissed sisters from the continent of Africa.’ During class, she would instruct the ‘Africans in the back’ to calm down.”
5. “Ms. Myles physically assaulted these and other students, dragging one out of the classroom by her hand, grabbing another by the neck and pushing her into a wall, pulling another out of the cafeteria by her jacket, and pushing over one student’s desk while he was still sitting in it.”
Academy of Excellence’s response upon being notified of Ms. Myles’ violent acts on students (taken from ACLU complaint):
6. Ms. Noor (A.A’s mother) reported the assault A.A. had suffered at the hands of Ms. Myles to Academy of Excellence Director (Eula Dean).
7. Director Dean stated she found “no wrongdoing” in regards to Ms. Myles’ conduct.
8. Ms. Noor then reported Ms. Myles’ history of discrimination towards various students.
9. Director Dean promised a full investigation would take place.
10. 3 days later, Academy Board Member (Brenda Nelson) called Ms. Noor to the school.
11. Board Member Nelson printed “voluntary” withdrawal forms for Ms. Noor’s 2 children (A.A. and his younger sister).
12. Ms. Noor did not want to sign but was heavily pressured by Board Member Nelson to do so.
13. Board Member Nelson demanded Ms. Noor sign the withdrawal form despite Ms. Noor’s pleas to be given some time to find another school for her children.

We, the petitioners, call for the DOJ, National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA), the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools (ASBCS), to take action in order to right this wrong. Students should not go to school fearful for their safety and well-being. The prejudicial hate and child abuse exhibited by Ms. Myles is unacceptable. The dangerous and negligent behavior of Ms. Myles, Director Dean, and Board Member Nelson puts students at risk for their safety. This behavior cannot be ignored or tolerated. We demand the termination of sixth grade teacher, Ms. Myles, for her grievous abuses, hateful violence, and violations of the moral standards educators are required to uphold. We also demand the resignation of Director Eula Dean and Board Member, Brenda Nelson for their failure to hold Ms. Myles accountable for her actions and further victimizing the family of A.A and other students.
Please sign this petition in solidarity with the victims of hate crimes, child abuse, verbal assault, and racial and religious discrimination.
References:
Link to the ACLU complaint:
https://www.aclu.org/sites/default/files/field_document/10-28-16_noor_letter_of_complaint_doj.pdf
Link to DailyKos article:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/10/31/1589075/-AZ-teacher-to-Muslim-student-I-can-t-wait-until-Trump-is-elected-He-s-going-to-deport-all-you