Texas Governor Greg Abbott, together with the Texas Education Agency (TEA), announced that more than a hundred teachers are now being investigated and could potentially lose their teaching credentials over social media activity tied to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Officials at the TEA said they are examining at least 180 separate complaints accusing educators of posting online remarks that either celebrated Kirk’s death or promoted violence. If the inquiry concludes that those comments violated the state’s educator code of ethics, the teachers involved risk having their certifications revoked and being prohibited from teaching in public schools.
In a statement, Abbott blasted the behavior of those teachers as “abhorrent” and declared that Texas would not permit educators who “use their platforms to incite violence.”
He ordered the TEA to move quickly with investigations and to follow through with disciplinary measures. Abbott stressed, “teachers who glorify violence have no place in our schools.”
Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath weighed in on Monday with his own statement.
“While all educators are held to a high standard of professionalism, there is a difference between comments made in poor taste and those that call for and incite further violence — the latter of which is clearly unacceptable,” Morath wrote. “TEA’s Educator Investigations Division has already begun its review, and I will be recommending to the State Board for Educator Certification that such individuals have their certification suspended and be rendered ineligible to teach in a Texas public school.”
Morath also addressed district leaders directly in a letter to superintendents, recognizing the importance of free expression but noting that the right to free speech does not include celebrating or encouraging violence.
Some districts have already taken their own steps.
KTXS-TV reported that two teachers within the Wylie Independent School District have resigned after online comments they made about Kirk sparked strong public criticism. The outlet also noted that student teacher placements have been canceled in certain situations.
According to the Texas Tribune, Klein Independent School District in Harris County dismissed a teacher for remarks made online regarding Kirk’s death. In Ector County Independent School District, one part-time tutor was fired and another employee was placed on leave, the report said.
Although no final suspensions have yet been imposed, state leaders emphasized that teachers who are found guilty of breaching professional standards could face permanent penalties.
“This isn’t about politics — it’s about safety and ethics in the classroom,” a TEA spokesperson told the Houston Chronicle.
{Matzav.com}
