The Cobb County School Board in Georgia made the decision to terminate a fifth-grade teacher, Katie Rinderle, who was previously suspended for reading a book about gender identity to her students during the last school year. The board voted 4-3 in favor of Rinderle’s termination, despite her positive performance reviews. Rinderle had purchased the book, titled “My Shadow Is Purple” by Scott Stuart, at a school book fair. However, a complaint from a parent sparked an investigation that concluded that the reading of the book violated Georgia’s “divisive concepts” law. This law, signed by Republican Governor Brian Kemp in 2022, prohibits educators from teaching “divisive concepts,” which includes the notion that the United States is fundamentally racist. It is worth noting that the law does not specifically mention discussions or instructions related to gender.
The firing of Rinderle and the subsequent hearing highlights a larger cultural conflict. Conservative activists and elected officials across the country have been targeting the books allowed in classrooms and libraries. Parents with conservative views have accused teachers of abuse and indoctrination when their children are exposed to books about gender identity or racial justice. In response, Republican legislators have passed laws that restrict what teachers can say in the classroom and dictate which books can be used for instruction. These policies, often vaguely worded, have resulted in self-censorship among teachers and the banning of certain books.
Rinderle maintains that she did not break any laws by reading the book and claims that the school has not provided clear explanations on which part of the “divisive concepts” law she violated. Georgia law requires school districts to schedule a hearing after terminating a teacher. A three-person tribunal recently held a two-day hearing to provide a non-binding recommendation on whether Rinderle’s termination should be upheld. The tribunal ruled that Rinderle did not violate insubordination rules and should retain her job. However, they did find that she violated the district’s policies on classroom books and the option for parents to opt out of the lesson.
Despite the tribunal’s recommendation, the school board chose to proceed with Rinderle’s termination. This decision sends a concerning message to teachers in Georgia. Rinderle expressed her disappointment with the outcome, emphasizing that prioritizing actions rooted in bigotry and discrimination does not benefit students and undermines the quality of education and the duty of educators.
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