TEA taking rhetoric seriously after Kirk assassination

Last week, the country was left reeling after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Following reports of political rhetoric making light of his death, the Texas Education Agency is taking steps to address educators who joined the fray.

A statement was released by Commissioner of Education Mike Morath that addressed allegations against teachers in the state and the agencies' efforts to hold anyone who made disparaging remarks accountable.

"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," Morath said.

To date, no educators in Chambers County appear to be in the conversation. Still, educators in the nearby Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District and the Pasadena Independent School District are being investigated.

"These educators' comments do not reflect the vast majority of Texas teachers who are dedicated practitioners who work diligently to serve the more than 5.5 million impressionable young minds in our classrooms," Morath said.

House District 23 Rep. Terri Leo Wilson took to Facebook, condemning any educators who made light of the death of Kirk, who was gunned down while on the campus of Utah Valley University last Wednesday, Sept. 10.

"Educators cheering on Charlie Kirk's death not only must be fired, they must be added to do not hire registries and lose their certifications. Their behavior has proven themselves unworthy of ever being part of educating students again," Leo Wilson said.

These alleged behaviors are now being referred to the TEA's Educator Investigations Division, according to Morath.

Morath said that posts about Kirk could violate the Educators' Code of Education and would be examined thoroughly to see if any statements are indeed sanctionable conduct.

"'In Loco Parenti'" is the law. It means a parent entrusts a teacher or other adult responsible for children, to act in the place of a parent. This is NOT what they signed up for," Leo Wilson said.

Anyone aware of any inappropriate content is asked to report it to the TEA's Misconduct Reporting Portal.

"Respect is a core tenet of what we teach and reinforce to our students, and together, we can ensure that such values continue to be reflected in our Texas public schools," Morath said.