A teacher at an East Bay high school remained in his classroom for two months after students complained he taught antisemitic conspiracy theories, with administrators doing nothing to counter the hate speech, according to students and teachers who spoke at a school board meeting last week. In separate conversations with The Chronicle, members of the school community also alleged English teacher Henry Bens used a Nazi salute in his classroom. After inquiries from The Chronicle, officials in the Hayward Unified School District issued a statement Wednesday that Bens was on a leave of absence. It was unclear whether he was forced to take the leave or requested it. Officials confirmed they’re investigating “the teacher’s alleged actions” and that Bens would not return to school Monday. The announcement, however, did little to comfort angry teachers and students at Mt. Eden High School, who said they remained concerned about the administrators’ silence and lack of action to ensure young people were given accurate historical information. The incidents were first reported in the Jewish News of Northern California.
via sfchronicle: ‘A master class in antisemitism’: East Bay teacher on leave after complaints of conspiracy theories, bigoted materials