Originally Published: 23 MAY 23 16:20 ET

By Mikayla Temple

EAST LANSING, Michigan (WSYM) -- A middle school gym teacher at Macdonald Middle School in East Lansing has been placed on paid administrative leave while the district investigates his alleged use of a racial slur.

The teacher allegedly used the slur in class two weeks ago and issued an apology letter taking full action and accountability.

"There were students using the 'N-word' interchangeably amongst themselves," he wrote in the letter. "In my haste to redirect the behavior, I addressed the students by stating that they shouldn't use that word, and in doing so, I used the actual word itself. I immediately felt terrible and regretted using it."

The teacher will be on paid administrative leave until the investigation is complete. It's not clear how long that could take.

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