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MAITLAND, Fla. - The former teacher accused of writing a letter many have called racist spoke publicly for the first time Thursday.
Jan Hall joined a live radio broadcast hosted by a close confidant of her attorney, WESH 2 News reported.
Hall is suing the Orange County school district, claiming it destroyed her career and jeopardized her first amendment rights.
Hall said she got into teaching 33 years ago so that she could improve the lives of children and to work closely with teachers to improve education for young people.
She spent an hour on Doug Guetzloe's show on WAMT 1190 AM. She admitted that she did write the controversial letter to the governor and to several congressmen.
She made no apologizes for writing that Hispanics and other students at her school, Sadler Elementary, who do not have English as their first language are slowing down white students.
"I'm just so sorry it's offended so many people. I never intended to offend anyone, particularly these children and the parents of these children who I've taught and the teachers I've worked with who've mostly been Hispanic in this town of Orlando. I'm so sorry for that, but I stand on the Constitution," Hall said.
"When I wrote that letter, I never thought it would become public. It was to all the congressmen who are listed in the blue pages of the phone book, and I wanted them to understand that I do think we ought to close the doors. And I gave reasons after the premise sentence that I think we ought to close the doors to all migration. Then, I gave reasons why."
These were Hall's first public comments since the letter became public in August. Nearly every call to the radio station was positive and the callers encouraged her to keep speaking her mind.
"You're a wonderful woman and I admire you greatly," one caller said.
As she was leaving the radio station, Hall told WESH 2 News reporter Greg Fox that she does not consider her remarks racist.
Many Hispanics remain critical of her.
"She's contribut(ing) to hate around (with) that letter that she wrote," said Elias Piccard.
Hall was suspended after the letter was printed in el Nuevo Dia, a Spanish-language newspaper. Then, she resigned and that resignation was accepted by the School Board. She then filed a $20 million lawsuit against the district.
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