El Paso school board votes to terminate teacher after viral video

EL PASO, Texas (KSTM) — The El Paso Independent School District Board of Trustees unanimously voted to recommend terminating a high school English teacher following a viral video, while students say the video doesn't show the whole story.

In the video, recorded by a student, the teacher appeared to be saying that calling people “pedophiles” was unfair and they should be called “minor attracted persons.”

Two students in the class said the social media clip being circulated was taken out of context and was part of a larger discussion and exercise on political questions during an introduction to “The Crucible.”

An EPISD spokesperson sent KTSM the following statement:

"During a special El Paso ISD Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday, Sept.6, the Board approved a decision to notify a Franklin High School teacher of proposed termination. The process will continue in accordance with the Texas Education Code.

Liza Rodriguez, EPISD spokesperson

Conversation in the viral video

In the 16-second clip posted on social media, the exchange went as followed:

On the Whiteboard: “Age doesn’t matter when it comes to love.”

Teacher: “You’re not allowed to label people like that.”

Entire class: “They are called pedophiles.”

Teachers: “Stop it.”

Teacher: “We’re not going to call them that.”

Teacher: “We’re going to call them MAPS.”

Teacher: “Minor Attracted Person.”

“So don’t judge people because they want to have sex with 5-year-olds.”