leaving, all the black people. so, i made a statement. it wasn't a racist remark. anybody that knows me knows my heart is with these kids. i've been teaching 30-something years. >> gorduek also responded to reaction over her comments. >> people always think the worst. you know, oh you say the word black, you know was i supposed to say african-american? were they all born in africa? no they're americans. and they live here. but i'm not a racist. people that know me -- i worked with disadvantage kids like this that couldn't get through school. we help them get a high school diploma and we've been doing it for 15 years. and our heart's in it. we're not against anyone and i've never disrespected anyone. >> gorduek has apologized to her students and their families. she wrote an apology letter