Woodbury substitute reenacts George Floyd's murder on student

WOODBURY, Minn. (FOX 9) - A substitute teacher at Woodbury High School reportedly used a student to help reenact the prone restraint used in the murder of George Floyd, in addition to making inappropriate gestures and remarks in several classes.

As photos circulated among students at Woodbury High School Monday, administrators caught wind.

Students say the substitute teacher — Prescott, Wisconsin, police officer Steve Williams — got pulled out of the classroom in the middle of fifth period, not long after he re-enacted the murder of Floyd with his knee on the neck of a student.

What happened? 

Principal Sarah Sorenson-Wagner sent a letter to families regarding the alleged behavior of a substitute teacher in four English classes on Monday. She described the events that unfolded as "inappropriate and racially-harmful behavior." 

The letter contains a "brief summary" of what the substitute teacher allegedly said or did in front of the students, which school officials said was "unprovoked by anyone." 

The letter to families contained the following list: 

• Put a student on the ground in front of the class as part of a reenactment of the police actions that resulted in the murder of George Floyd.
• Reenacted the prone restraint that resulted in the murder of George Floyd.
• Twisted a student’s arm behind the student’s back and showed pressure points on the chin and face.
• Spoke about a bar fight and fake punched a student with his fist "really close" to the student’s face.
• "Invaded students’ space" and mimicked holding up a gun and pointing it at students.
• Repeatedly made racially harmful comments.
• Told sexist jokes.
• Spoke in disturbing detail about dead bodies he had seen, and shared explicit details about two sexual assault cases he investigated.
• Shared specific names of people he arrested.
• Stated that "cops would be the best criminals" and that "they know how to get away with stuff," stating that he once got an "A" on a paper about how to get away with murder.
• Spoke at length about his gun collection.
• Stated that "police brutality isn’t real."

Students also reported the substitute teacher thought they would "want to hear about his life as a police officer." However, the letter states the teacher was not a police officer in Minnesota, and Woodbury Police Department is helping investigate the incident.

"I want to thank the students who reported this incident to me. It takes courage to stand up for and uphold our school’s values in the face of inappropriate and racially harmful actions by an adult," wrote the school principal.

Placed on leave

For his full-time job, the substitute teacher works as a patrol officer in Prescott, Wisconsin.

In a statement on Wednesday, the city identified the officer as Williams and said he had been placed on administrative leave. The city says Williams has served the department for two years.

The statement reads:

"Based on the information received from the school district and the active investigation by the Woodbury Police Department the Officer in question has been put on Administrative Leave. Mr. Williams was not serving in an official capacity as a Police Officer for the City of Prescott when the alleged actions occurred. The City of Prescott and the Prescott Police Department find the current allegations, if true, made against Mr. Williams to be very disturbing, reprehensible, and we in no way condone his actions. Our deepest sympathies go out to the South Washington School District, staff and students."

The police department is conducting its own internal investigation into the incident.

What they’re saying

Principal Sorenson-Wagner wrote in the letter, "I specifically want to acknowledge racial harm that occurred when the substitute teacher reenacted the prone restraint that resulted in the murder of George Floyd.

"This reported behavior is reprehensible. I am embarrassed, and I am sorry this happened to our students. We will take as much time as students need to listen and create open space for courageous conversations that lead to healing, action and education.

"The reported actions are not, and will not, be tolerated at Woodbury High School or in South Washington County Schools. We are partnering with Teachers on Call, our substitute contracted vendor, to ensure that this person is removed from the Teachers on Call substitute list and will never be allowed to fill any vacancies in our school district."

Police and company's response

Woodbury Police Chief and Public Safety Director Jason Posel provided FOX 9 with the following statement: 

"Woodbury Public Safety is aware of the incident that occurred at Woodbury High School on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. We are disturbed by the preliminary information of what occurred. The substitute teacher who was involved in this situation has no affiliation with Woodbury Public Safety. We value our relationship with the South Washington County School District and will continue to work closely with them. The safety of the students, teachers, staff and our community is our top priority. We will investigate this incident to the fullest extent, while showing compassion to the students impacted."

Kelly Education, which owns Teachers on Call, said the following in a statement: 

"Teachers on Call is deeply concerned about the reported misconduct of a former employee on assignment at Woodbury High School. The actions of this individual were unacceptable, and the substitute teacher is no longer an employee of Teachers on Call.  

"We recognize the significant public trust placed in us to ensure our substitute educators maintain a safe learning environment. We have a zero-tolerance policy for any form of violent, aggressive, or harmful behavior.  

"Our substitute educators undergo a rigorous screening process that is fully compliant with Minnesota Department of Education standards and includes screenings that go beyond state requirements. This includes comprehensive background and fingerprint checks, which include searches of local, state, and national criminal records—including crimes against children—and a search of the National Sex Offender Registry. Our review system strictly adheres to all state and district requirements, prioritizing safety and security in educational environments. The substitute educator involved in the reported misconduct passed all required background screens before being placed on assignment.

"We want to thank our partners at Woodbury High School for taking swift action to protect students' well-being. We are cooperating with the school district and local authorities during the ongoing investigation."

What’s next?

School officials said the issue has been reported to the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board. 

The letter stated the substitute teacher was trespassed from district property. Law enforcement is investigating the matter, but further information was not immediately available. 

Officials said students will have the chance to meet with school staff and discuss what happened and process the impact of the incident. The letter said school staff, administrators and district leaders are working with student leaders on the next steps for "repairing the harm done to students and staff at Woodbury High School." 

Several parents told FOX 9 the situation was shocking, and they wondered how someone like that could get into a classroom, but they were satisfied with the outcome.

What we don’t know

It’s unknown whether the substitute teacher has taught at the high school before, or if any other complaints have been made against him.