Texas’s Commissioner of Education, Mike Morath, issued a warning to state educators who have shared content relating to the death of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
In a letter addressed to superintendents, Morath wrote, “[The Texas Education Agency] has been made aware of some Texas public school educators that have posed and/or shared reprehensible and inappropriate content on social media related to the assassination of Charlie Kirk.” Morath noted that the sentiments are not reflecting of the majority of Texas teachers.
“While the exercise of free speech is a fundamental right we are all blessed to share, it does not give carte blanche authority to celebrate or sow violence against those that share differing beliefs and perspectives,” he explained, noting that Kirk’s death is “heartbreaking.”
Since the letter was sent out, more than 100 educators will have their teacher certification suspended.
“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 said. “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.”
Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas sent a similar letter to the state’s school district superintendents, warning them that they must maintain professional conduct or face repercussions. Kamoutsas’ letter condemned Florida educators who have “posted despicable comments on social media” regarding Kirk’s death, and declared that he will conduct investigations into “every educator who engages in this vile, sanctionable behavior.”
