A dispute over a teacher’s crucifix in New Britain, Connecticut has left Catholic educator Marisol Arroyo-Castro sidelined from the classroom she loves. Suspended last December after refusing to remove a crucifix from beside her desk, Arroyo-Castro says she now fears termination. “I dream about my teaching experience almost every day,” she told Fox News. “I didn’t realize how much I really love teaching now that I cannot go back, and the reason that I cannot go back is just so sad.”
First Liberty Institute, along with legal firm WilmerHale, accused the school district of violating Arroyo-Castro’s constitutional rights. Attorneys say the district pressured her to resign, retire early, or hide the cross, even threatening termination. First Liberty senior counsel Keisha Russell stated, “It’s pretty clear to me that the school district is not interested in the inclusion of people like Marisol.”
District officials responded by claiming they acted in good faith while citing “inclusion, neutrality and respect for all.” But critics argue the move highlights a double standard where faith-based expression is censored in public schools while other viewpoints are protected.
Russell said the case has national significance, noting, “We’re in America, and a teacher is being asked to hide her crucifix and, if not, she’s being punished for it. That’s completely unacceptable.” With a court ruling pending, Arroyo-Castro remains in limbo, saying, “I believe wholeheartedly that I can lose my job for this, but it’s unbelievable to lose it because of my faith.”
