Queens Teacher Under Investigation For Slur Against BLM Protester

BAYSIDE, QUEENS — A Queens public school teacher was caught on video calling a Black Lives Matter protester an "Asian b---h" in Bayside over the weekend, prompting an investigation into the incident and some families to call for the teacher to be fired.

The minute-long video shows the teacher, Katina Garanes, calling a 19-year-old Black Lives Matter protester an "Asian b---h" and telling her "not to curse in front of my kids," after the protester, who is Asian, said "f--- the NYPD," according to a man who said he witnessed the encounter.

Garanes teaches social studies to 6th graders at P.S. 122 - The Mamie Fay School in Astoria, where nearly 27 percent of students are Asian, according to state data.

Garanes could not be reached for comment for this article, but a Department of Education spokesperson confirmed that the incident is under investigation and said the teacher will remain employed pending the outcome of the investigation.

“The DOE stands against racism and our teachers and staff must foster safe and supportive learning environments," spokesperson Danielle Filson wrote in an emailed statement.

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Dear Bayside Residents, Check your neighbors. Update: We’re outside of 111th Precinct right now waiting on Yacine’s release and this Karen just hopped out of her Van with her entire family supporting “Blue lives” attacking us. Can we get miss Karen fired???? #DerogatoryKaren
A post shared by WARRIORS IN THE GARDEN (@warriorsinthegarden) on Jul 12, 2020 at 2:24pm PDT

The encounter happened Sunday evening outside the local police station, on 215th Street, after a series of tense — and, at times, violent — confrontations between "Back the Blue" pro-NYPD demonstrators and Black Lives Matter protesters who were holding separate rallies in Crocheron Park.

A group of Black Lives Matter protesters was waiting outside the precinct for fellow protester Yacine Diallo, who was tackled and punched by police officers during the rallies and arrested on charges of inciting a riot, attempted assault, disorderly conduct and harassment, according to QNS.com.

That's when the encounter happened between Garanes, bearing a sign that read "we support our police," and the Black Lives Matter protesters, one of whom responded: "You're teaching the kids this?"

In an email Wednesday to P.S. 122 families, which was also posted on the school's website, Principal Anna Aprea said she received "many messages" about the incident but declined to share any further information about it, citing the open investigation.

Aprea said the school, which includes a gifted and talented program for middle schoolers called The Academy, will offer more discussions and trainings on anti-racism in the coming school year.

"I want to be clear that we are committed to ensuring all students and staff are provided a safe and supportive learning environment that is free of discrimination and/or harassment," Aprea wrote. "We will not tolerate a hostile environment for any of our students and we continue to support the social emotional and wellness of everyone in our school community."

A Department of Education spokesperson noted that the incident didn't take place on school grounds, but P.S. 122 parents, alumni and students claim the teacher has exhibited similar behavior inside the classroom.

The spokesperson did not respond to an email detailing some of those claims other than encouraging people to formally report incidents of bias and harassment to the agency.

One parent, who asked that his name not be used because his children currently attend P.S. 122, said one of his children noticed Garanes repeatedly singling out Muslim students in a world religions class.

"When I saw the video, I said, 'Oh, yeah, of course it's her,'" the parent told Patch in a phone interview. "This was the teacher everyone had a problem with."

Others have made similar claims on social media about the teacher targeting Muslim students and other students from marginalized groups during class.

"My question to the school was, 'what else did you know?' Because this is the not the first time people are complaining about her," the parent said.

Garanes started working for the Department of Education in 1999 and earns roughly $99,000 a year, according to city payroll records.

A Change.org petition calling for the Department of Education to discipline or fire Garanes had drawn nearly 1,500 signatures as of midday Thursday.

District 30 Superintendent Dr. Philip Composto told parents he has referred the matter to the Office of Special Investigations for New York City schools, according to an email reviewed by Patch.