Full Breakdown
Kentucky Teacher Placed on Leave After Racial Slur Appears in Classroom Word Search
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
A Boone County High School teacher distributed a word-search puzzle to a class in September that contained a “deeply offensive” racial slur. The puzzle listed the slur as the first word to find and repeated it within the grid. After students reported the material, district officials placed the teacher on immediate administrative leave and announced an investigation.
Official Statements & Responses
Boone County School District released a statement emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for language that demeans or marginalizes based on race or identity.
Principal Stacey Black pledged to reinforce expectations for respect, responsibility and inclusion, adding that counselors would meet with all impacted students.
Superintendent Dr.
Student and Community Reactions
Students who saw the puzzle said they were shocked and confused. Senior Stephanie Lopez described the experience as “off-guard” and questioned why the word appeared on the paper. Junior Aiyana Pendleton echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the teacher is “kind, sweet” and would not intend harm. Both students argued the handout was likely distributed by mistake and urged the school to consider the teacher’s side of the story.
A parent who chose to remain anonymous provided a photograph of the puzzle showing the slur, confirming its presence. The same parent reported that the puzzle was handed out in a classroom on a Thursday.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The puzzle originated from the website Word Search Labs, where users can create and share word searches. A preview of the puzzle on the site listed “ADVISOR” as the first word, not the slur.
Matt Johnson, the site’s developer, told WCPO that he believes the puzzle was altered after being removed from the site. He suggested that a student may have guessed or bypassed a password and vandalized the content for “maximum shock value.”
The district has not identified the teacher or disclosed how the altered puzzle entered the classroom. No official explanation has been provided regarding whether the teacher downloaded the puzzle directly from the site or received a modified version from another source.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I am deeply disappointed that one of our teachers failed to meet the curricular requirements and inclusive expectations we set for EVERY employee at all of our schools,” — Schools Superintendent Jeff Hauswald
- “We appreciate the students who have brought this matter forward as part of our efforts to maintain a school environment where every individual is treated with dignity and respect,” — Principal Stacey Black
- “I suspect a student guessed the password for the puzzle [or it didn't have one], and vandalized the content for maximum shock value,” — Developer Matt Johnson
- “It just catches you off guard. You’re like, why is this word on this paper?” — Stephanie Lopez
- “I say that it is good to take action, but also, all I'm hoping for is that (the school) hears (the teacher's) side of the story too.” — Aiyana Pendleton
