SF math trainer accused of including inappropriate take a look at questions

A math trainer at a prime San Francisco college has been positioned on go away after allegedly including fat-shaming and misogynistic inquiries to college students’ exams.

Tom Chan, who has labored at Lowell Excessive College for 20 years, sparked outraged when his quiz reportedly referenced a “fats child,” sweet, and “horny factors” for ladies who weigh much less.

Chan “wanted to go on go away,” in keeping with an e mail despatched by Principal Jan Bautista notifying mother and father of the change in trainer.

Dad and mom who anonymously spoke to the San Francisco Chronicle mentioned the questions have been from Algebra I quizzes the educator gave to his college students.

The questions present stereotypes of ladies not having the ability to do math, and physique shaming of scholars, the mother and father alleged.

“It’s fairly surprising,” a mum or dad mentioned. “The truth that no one has introduced this as much as the varsity and he’s been there a very very long time.”

One instance of the quiz was based mostly on the connection between a woman’s weight and the way a lot one ought to pay on a date along with her.

Listed below are the quiz questions quoted phrase for phrase:

“The sum of money you spend on a date varies inversely to how a lot they weigh. A typical lady that weighs 120lbs will price you $55.
a) Derive the variation equation.
b) How a lot would you anticipate to pay for a date with Ashley who’s 220lbs?
c) If you happen to can solely afford $5, how a lot would your date weigh and what’s his/her identify?”

One other part was titled: “Mr. Chan vs. The Fats Child (half 2),” which seems to arrange a math downside utilizing a story situation.

It begins with the road: “The fats child from final time wouldn’t be quiet concerning the sweet I used to be consuming in entrance of him, so I punted him up into the air.”

From there, college students have been requested to resolve math questions involving an equation for peak and time — seemingly a regular projectile movement downside, equivalent to calculating how excessive one thing goes or how lengthy it stays within the air based mostly on a components.

A number of the questions didn’t seem to have any mathematical part, mother and father added, with some described as inappropriate to ask college students.

“How tall are you and the way a lot do you weigh?” one query requested.

“Choose one: Fairly or Sensible. And why?” acknowledged one other query that prompted college students to share their view.

Past the quizzes, Chan has additionally come below scrutiny for YouTube movies that try and make math “enjoyable.”

A video titled “Grades vs. Dignity” confirmed teenagers performing foolish dances to earn additional credit score to boost their grades, in keeping with his YouTube web page. In the newest video, posted in Might 2025, Chan wrote within the description, “Children want an A so I present an out.”

“They’re shopping for grades from him by humiliating themselves,” a mum or dad mentioned. “The children seem like they’re laughing and stuff, however I’m undecided all of them are into it.”

One alum on a Reddit thread additionally weighed in.

“He undoubtedly went over the road on these quizzes’ questions and that’s alarming,” the alum wrote, including that he attended a while in the past and his reminiscence was “fuzzy” at greatest.

“The quiz’s language is extraordinarily offensive,” the alum added, however mentioned he was torn about defending the YouTube video Chan posted.

“The video is definitely pretty benign. For context, at Lowell, there are festivals the place each college students and academics carry out, have enjoyable and be foolish (it’s Lowell — a reminder to college students to destress), by which he participated fairly a bit,” the alum mentioned.

There was no readability on when Chan would return, if he would return, or whether or not the go away was paid. Principal Bautista requested mother and father to respect his privateness.

The Put up has reached out to Lowell Excessive College for touch upon the character of Chan’s obvious dismissal, which got here after the Chronicle initially emailed the varsity with questions on issues expressed by mother and father.

“SFUSD is conscious of the allegations concerning inappropriate questions on a trainer’s examination and different associated issues. We take these issues critically and are actively investigating,” the San Francisco Unified College District mentioned.

“Whereas we can not share particulars as a result of this can be a personnel matter, we will share that after a difficulty is delivered to our consideration, we examine each report and take acceptable corrective motion if required.”

The varsity district mentioned it inspired college students to make use of its “See One thing, Say One thing” nameless reporting system to report such incidents sooner or later, in its e mail to The Put up.

“Our precedence is making certain college students really feel secure and supported at school,” the district added.

“Lowell stays dedicated to fostering a welcoming, responsive college neighborhood the place each pupil feels comfy coming ahead. There are a number of methods for college kids and households to report problems with concern.”

---

Obtain The California Put up App, comply with us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters