A school board in Georgia voted to fire a teacher for reading students a book on gender identity that violates state law.
Katie Rinderle, a fifth-grade teacher at Due West Elementary, has been on leave for more than a month after reading the book “My Shadow Is Purple,” which features a nonbinary character.
The Cobb County School Board voted last week in a 4 to 3 decision to fire Rinderle.
“I am disappointed in the district’s decision to terminate me for reading an inclusive and affirming book — one that is representative of diverse student identities,” Rinderle told Fox 5 Atlanta. “The district is sending a harmful message that not all students are worthy of affirmation in being their unapologetic and authentic selves. This decision, based on intentionally vague policies, will result in more teachers self-censoring in fear of not knowing where the invisible line will be drawn. Censorship perpetuates harm and students deserve better.”
From Fox News:
Rinderle said during last week's hearing, which was initiated under a state law that protects teachers from unjustified firing, that her students chose the book out of several options she offered them. "My Shadow Is Purple" was purchased by Rinderle at a recent school book fair. "The board came in, and in an act of what can only be construed an act of politics over policy fired Katie Rinderle. We believe it's inappropriate, there's no justification for it," Rinderle's attorney Craig Goodmark claimed.
