NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- A Virginia teacher was placed on leave after she used the N-word during a high school history lesson, WTKR reported. The Heritage High School teacher said she used the word in class during a lesson about Native Americans.

She told WTKR a student asked "what's the big deal with calling them Redskins?" in reference to the Washington Redskins football team.

The teacher said she explained it was inappropriate to use prejudicial and stereotypical names about any racial group. She then, "What would you think if someone started a team called the Newport News N****rs?"

The teacher, who has been teaching 40 years, will remain at home until the school's investigation is complete.

Nearly 700 people have signed an online petition to bring the teacher back to school.

"She is a history teacher, she cannot be censored for teaching terms and beliefs that people had throughout history," the petition read.