‘Speak American’ teacher apologizes, is teaching in NJ school again

CLIFFSIDE PARK — The English teacher caught on video telling students to "speak American" in her classroom returned to work on Tuesday after apologizing on the school's PA system.

The entire school heard teacher Laura Amico's words in an effort to put the issue behind them "and focus on educating the students," Cliffside Park superintendent Michael Romagnino told NorthJerey.com.

On a video taken by a student that went viral, Amico told students who were talking to each other in Spanish during class to "speak American." Three students walked out of the classroom after Amico told students, “Men and women are fighting. They are not fighting for your right to speak Spanish. They are fighting for your right to speak American."

The students also called Amico a "racist" as they left the classroom.

The incident sparked a walkout in a school, in which nearly 700 of the 1,100 students are Hispanic. Thirty-six students received a Saturday detention for their action, according to NorthJersey.com.

A student told PIX 11 that students were consulted about what disciplinary action they thought should be taken against Amico.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com