Lowell HS teacher under investigation for allegations of fat-shaming, sexist questions on tests
SFUSD investigating Lowell HS teacher accused of offensive quiz
SFUSD says it is investigating accusations that a 9th grade math teacher at San Francisco's Lowell High School put offensive questions on a quiz.
SAN FRANCISCO - A math teacher at Lowell High School in San Francisco is under investigation after administrators found out he was giving his students questions about "fat kids" and the financial cost of dating girls based on their weight or their looks.
A letter from Lowell High School principal Jan Bautista, sent on Tuesday afternoon, states the San Francisco Unified School District had received complaints about the teacher, Tom Chan, and is "actively investigating" the matter.
"Our priority is ensuring students feel safe and supported in school," part of the letter read.
Chan has been a teacher at Lowell for more than 20 years.
"While we cannot share details because this is a personnel matter, we can share that once an issue is brought to our attention, we investigate every report and take appropriate corrective action if required," a statement from the district reads. "We are following district procedures to address these concerns, which include the process outlined in our collective bargaining agreements."
The allegations
The backstory:
Chan’s ninth-grade Algebra 1 tests, as first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, included questions that shamed people for their weight, promoted values based on looks and implied that girls aren’t good at math.
"The amount of money you spend on a date varies inversely to how much they weigh. A typical girl that weighs 120 lbs. Will cost you $55.
- Derive the variation equation.
- How much would you expect to pay for a date with Ashley, who is 220 lbs.?
- If you can only afford $5, how much would your date weigh and what is his/her name?"
Other questions asked students to create an equation for the height and time a "fat kid who wouldn’t be quiet about candy" would spend in the air after being "punted" by Chan. The question also asked students, "When was the last time you gave candy to a fat kid?"
Mixed reactions from students, parents
What they're saying:
Jackie Norori, parent of a Lowell High senior, said she found the questions inappropriate.
"There shouldn’t be a girl’s weight based on how much a gentleman is going to spend on their date," Norori said, referring to the test questions. "That, for me, is a little disrespectful. He should know better."
Another parent, Roberto Vallejo added, "As a parent and having a daughter, I want to make sure my daughter is safe when I drop her off at school."
Vallejo said that if the allegations are true, the school needs to take action.
"The school has to be on top of it," he said.
Some students said they were surprised Chan was not on campus on Wednesday.
They said Chan has a YouTube channel where he explains difficult math concepts to help students learn. In some videos, he uses unconventional methods, such as writing AP calculus concepts on his feet with a marker.
Another video, titled "Grades or Dignity," showed students dancing for extra credit in math class.
Some students said Chan used humor to ease academic stress.
"Out of all the teachers I’ve ever had, he was the most supportive. Every day, he would tutor me after school because I was struggling," said Kaela Liao, a Lowell High School senior. "I don’t think he meant to hurt anybody by what he was doing."
Others said the district should do more.
"I think it’s pretty inappropriate," said Noelia Martinez, a senior at the school. "I think Ms. Bautista should definitely talk to our math teacher about it and get something fixed, because it’s not OK. And I think he should take some time away from school to really think about what has happened."
What you can do:
San Francisco Unified has encouraged students and families to report concerns, and said the district’s priority is ensuring students feel safe.
"Lowell remains committed to fostering a welcoming, responsive school community where every student feels comfortable coming forward," the statement reads. "There are multiple ways for students and families to report issues of concern. SFUSD’s ‘See Something, Say Something’ anonymous reporting system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week."