Teacher denies pulling hijab off Muslim student’s head, says she was ‘gently’ trying to get her attention – NJ.com

The South Orange-Maplewood School District teacher who came under fire earlier this month after allegations were made on social media that she pulled the hijab off a Muslim student’s head has responded in a letter to the community that she meant no harm.

Tamar Herman, an elementary school teacher at Seth Boyden Elementary School, said in a statement released through her lawyers that the student’s entire face had been covered by a hoodie and mask. She ended the letter by urging members of the community to not let the incident divide them.

“I asked one of my students to raise the hood of her sweatshirt because it was covering her eyes,” Herman said in the statement. “With her mask on too, her whole face was covered.”

“I gently got her attention by brushing up the front of her hood,” the statement said. “The moment I realized she was not wearing her usual hijab underneath, she kept the hood on. And the learning went on. That is what happened.”

Ibtihaj Muhammad, a 2016 Olympic medalist in fencing and a Maplewood resident, wrote on her social media accounts on Oct. 7 that Herman had “forcibly removed the hijab of a second-grade student.” Muhammad’s connection to the student is not clear and Muhammad has not responded to requests for comment.

The incident caused an uproar in the Essex County community, with hundreds of people signing a Change.org petition calling for Herman’s firing.

A spokeswoman for the school district released a statement on Oct. 8, saying an investigation was underway. The investigation was later turned over to the Maplewood Police Department, district officials said.

Attorney Robert L. Tarver Jr., of Toms River, who represents the student, told Maplewood Patch that at least one other student in the classroom confirmed the “forcible” removal of the hijab. Tarver did not immediately respond Thursday to a phone message and an email seeking comment.

Samantha Harris, one of the attorneys representing the teacher, told NJ Advance Media last week that Herman never tried to remove a hijab from the student’s head.

“In accordance with school policy, Ms. Herman directed a student in her class to pull down the hood on a hooded sweatshirt because it was blocking her eyes – and immediately rescinded that request when she realized that the student was wearing the hood in place of, rather than on top of, her usual hijab,” Harris said in an email.

“The misinformation shared on social media has caused tremendous harm to Ms. Herman – a teacher who, after more than 30 years of devoting her heart and soul to children of all backgrounds, has now had to ask for police protection due to the threats she is receiving following the dissemination of false information on social media,” Harris said.

In her statement, Herman said that she has “been helping kids for over 30 years.”

“I help kids tie their shoes. I help kids put on their jackets. I help kids put on their band-aids. I help kids learn every day,” Herman said in the statement. “Often, I am standing near my students to give them instruction or to review their work.”

Herman said she believes the students of Maplewood and South Orange need teachers more than ever.

“Let us be there for OUR kids. Let us cultivate a climate of acceptance, tolerance, compassion, and respect for all,” the statement said. “Diversity is our strength. It should not divide us,” the statement said.”

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Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.