Maryland Teacher Defamation Lawsuit Over Racism Accusations Proceeds

Dan Engler, a former Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School teacher, filed a defamation lawsuit against Principal Shelton Mooney and the Montgomery County school board after being accused of racism over a 2023 classroom seating dispute. Engler denies making any racial comments, stating he was enforcing seating assignments to learn students' names, but two Black students reported he said he could not distinguish them because of their race. Principal Mooney sent a letter to the school community labeling the incident a "hate-bias incident," which Engler claims damaged his reputation without giving him a chance to respond. The lawsuit argues Mooney fabricated part of the quote and acted prematurely, causing trauma and career harm to Engler. The trial has involved testimony from Engler and Mooney, with Mooney admitting to inventing a partial quote to reflect students' sentiments. This case highlights tensions around race, accusations of racism, and administrative responses within school systems.