An Illinois-based elementary art teacher, recently hired in the Homer Community Consolidated School District 33C, has been dismissed following a wave of parent concern over his alleged social media posts that appeared to endorse satanism and detailed personal accounts of “psychosis and mania.”
Kris Martin, who was appointed this year to serve on a rotating basis across four elementary schools in the district, came under fire after screenshots of his controversial posts were shared by the “Libs of TikTok” X account, drawing over 9 million views, according to a Fox News report.
While many local media refrained from naming the teacher, both the mentioned TikTok account and several parents at a board meeting identified him as Martin.
In the alleged posts, Martin openly stated, “I HAVE BI POLAR 1 DISORDER WITH MANIA AND PSYCHOSIS!”
He further confessed, “I have done things in conditions of psychosis and mania that have been violent and hurtful.”
However, it was his messages such as “Kill the Poor,” “Love the Devil Back”, and an image of an upside-down black American flag with the words “F— the police” that drew the most ire.
One parent remarked, “I’ve seen some anti-religious, child sacrifice, there was Satan worship,” expressing their shock and concern.
At a heated school board meeting, parents and guardians voiced their concerns over the safety and well-being of their children.
Steven Selucky, a concerned parent, criticized the board, declaring, “This board of education and administration has failed the community in a most egregious way.”
He emphasized the board’s responsibility, saying, “The safety of our children, who we hand off to you for your care, has been neglected and overlooked. Giving you the benefit of the doubt, this is at least extreme incompetence and neglect of duty.”
Another parent chimed in, noting the responsibility of the board: “Hiring a teacher with unpredictable behavior for elementary school is neglectful,” and added the concern about public statements, pondering, “If this person is saying and posting this publicly, what will he do behind closed doors with our children?”
Following these concerns, the school board convened a special meeting, resulting in Martin’s immediate termination.
Responding to the controversy, the school board emphasized their commitment to thorough background checks for all new hires but acknowledged that sometimes the process might not catch everything.
Their statement read, “Though extraordinarily rare, there are times that process may not be flawless.”
They further clarified, “When additional information that is legally relevant to an individual’s ability to work safely and successfully in the district does come to our attention, we take appropriate action.”
