By MSR News Online
We recently learned that Jeronimo Yanez, the former Saint Anthony police officer who shot and killed Philando Castile, a Black motorist, has applied for a substitute teacher’s license. We were even more shocked to learn that he had been quietly teaching Spanish part-time at a private school. Needless to say, the fact that a former police officer who unjustly killed an innocent Black man would dare to assume another position of authority over children is shocking and traumatizing.
We support the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board’s decision to reject Yanez’s application to teach on moral grounds. We would add the potential traumatic and psychological effects on Black students placed in Yanez’s classroom. Our community is still in mourning over the senseless police killing of Philando Castile. Children of all races, particularly Black children, were outraged by the killing of Castile, who worked as a cafeteria supervisor in St. Paul Public Schools.
Furthermore, Yanez’s presence has the potential to create an unwelcoming environment for Black teachers, who already struggle to find a safe place to teach. This is detrimental to the retention of Black teachers.
Yanez’s failure to face justice in a court of law for his heinous actions is a travesty of justice. Instead, the City of St. Anthony was held liable for a $3 million settlement as a result of his reckless behavior. Although the City suffered a financial loss, Castile’s family suffered an incalculable loss. In light of the foregoing, we respectfully request that the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board uphold its decision to deny Jeronimo Yanez a teaching license. Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this.
Signed,
Titilayo Bediako
Executive Director, WE WIN Institute
Education Justice Co-Chair, Racial Justice Network
Nafeesah Muhammad
Licensed ELA Teacher
Educators 4 Excellence -MN, Deputy Director of Campaigns
Education Justice Committee Member, Racial Justice Network
Nekima Levy Armstrong, Esq.
Executive Director, Wayfinder Foundation
Founder, Racial Justice Network
Sharita Benson
Administrator TOSA: Special Education Coordinator
MTSS Facilitator
Alex Leonard
Counselor, Henry High School
Alexis Mann
Teacher and Case Manager
Chauntyll Allen
St. Paul Public School Board Member
Cherie Goudeau
MA, MFT
Anthony Richie
CTE Teacher
Adewale Adenodi
Social Studies Teacher
Jarahia Mann
Parent and Social Work Candidate
Bryant Hernandez Cota
Student
Maya Brown
Parent
Abequay Peake
Parent
Haben Ghebregergish
Teacher, Secondary Math 5-12
Satara Strong-Allen
Love First, Executive Director
Margaret Sullivan
Educator
Tameika Williams
Education Pathway Coordinator, Licensed Teacher, M. Ed.
Brianna Wilson, M.Ed
Licensed Teacher Special Education
Charlnitta Ellis
Director, Check Yo’Self Health and Wellness Center, High School for the Recording Arts
Brieana Peery
Parent and Educator, High School for the Recording Arts
Halina Gill
School Social Worker, High School for the Recording Arts
Willie Adams
Educator, High School for the Recording Arts
Ionia Hamer
English Facilitator, High School for the Recording Arts
Daniel Lee
Parent, Educational Advisor
Rafael Williams
HSRA, Kitchen Manager/Educator
Johnny Howard, Jr.
Parent
Tonya Lewis-Frost
Student support, High School for Recording Arts
Rajine Williams
Advisor – High School for Recording Arts
Matthew Lennon
Special Education Teacher, High School for Recording Arts
Matthew Brown
Director of Operations – High School for Recording Arts
Darryl Young
Licensed Teacher Special Education, High School for Recording Arts
Kimberly Colbert
ELA Teacher, St. Paul Central High School