Teacher Tears Off a Hijab From a Girl

Covered girl with a red floral hijab in a hoody

Second grade teacher in New Jersey was accused of tearing off a student's hijab in front of the entire class. Key points are in the bullet points.

  • An attorney representing the child's family accused the teacher of yanking the hijab off the girl’s head in front of her peers. The teacher, allegedly, said to the student after the incident that her hair is beautiful and that she doesn’t need to cover it at school.
  • The New Jersey school district, in a public statement, has refuted the allegations. But has agreed to investigate the allegations.
  • Familly's attorney commented on the incident with the following statement:

    "Ultimately, the teacher succeeds in pulling the hijab off her head, followed by a bizarre statement which is, 'Your hair is beautiful,'" the attorney said. "It is incredibly disturbing. It is very, very, symbolic of disregard of her religion and certainly something that has affected my clients overall."
  • The mother of a student, Cassandra Wyatt said that the teacher's actions must have consequences.

    "She had to know that was a hijab," she said. "She has to pay for that. I'd love for her to apologize to my daughter, and then my daughter would feel better."