Texas teachers’ union slams TEA for investigating educators over social media posts on Charlie Kirk

AUSTIN, TEXAS: The Texas teachers' union is pushing back on the Texas Education Agency (TEA) investigation into social media posts made by educators regarding the killing of conservative icon Charlie Kirk.

Texas education officials are reviewing more than 180 complaints about social media remarks made by teachers following the Turning Point USA founder's shooting death.

Texas teachers’ union calls commissioner’s actions unprecedented

TEA Commissioner Mike Morath has warned that teachers could have their licenses suspended or revoked following the investigation. The state’s largest teachers’ union says the commissioner’s actions are unprecedented.

A professor who studies harmful online content told Fox 4 there are two major drivers of the current rhetorical divide: social media and political leaders’ messaging.

In a statement on Monday, September 15, the commissioner said TEA's Educator Investigations Division had begun its review. He added that he would recommend to the State Board of Educator Certification that individuals who made such remarks have their licenses suspended and be rendered ineligible to teach in a Texas public school.

Texas AFT President Zeph Capo pushed back, saying, "That is frankly unprecedented. I’ve been in education for almost 30 years now. I've never seen a commissioner send a letter like that saying they’re starting investigations en masse of the entire education community."

Greg Abbott says more than 100 educators could be suspended

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said on Monday that more than 100 Texas educators could have their teacher certification suspended due to their social posts about the killing of Charlie Kirk.

Abbott wrote in an X (formerly Twitter) post, "The Texas Education Agency is investigating Texas teachers whose actions called for or incite violence following the Charlie Kirk assassination. Those educators—more than 100—will have their teacher certification suspended and be ineligible to teach in a Texas public school."

The comments from Abbott came after the TEA announced on Friday that it would investigate educators accused of making "inappropriate content" on social media about Kirk.

Morath acknowledged the importance of free speech but said, "It does not give carte blanche authority to celebrate or sow violence against those that share differing beliefs and perspectives."

He also urged the public to report any posts from educators making inappropriate remarks.

Reporter Cameron Abrams of Texan News said TEA had received approximately 180 complaints.

Teacher in Canada suspended for showing students video of Charlie Kirk's shooting

A school teacher in Toronto, Canada, was suspended after allegedly showing a video of Charlie Kirk’s shooting to 10-and 11-year-old students in his class, authorities said.

The teacher also reportedly told students that Kirk deserved to be killed and delivered a speech about antifascism and transgender issues, according to the Toronto Sun.

A source told the outlet, "Several students from his class went home and complained to their parents, traumatized at witnessing the on-camera death, which they were forced to watch numerous times."

"Parents reached out to administrators, who placed the teacher on leave starting September 12.

The source added, "While playing this video repeatedly, he gave a speech to his students regarding anti-fascism, anti-trans, and how Charlie Kirk deserved for this to occur."

A letter was later sent to the affected students’ families, calling the behavior "extremely troubling and completely disturbing."