Students Speak Out After Controversial Teacher Post

At a recent school board meeting, three high school students voiced their concerns after a teacher at Barrington High School in Rhode Island was placed on administrative leave for posting a TikTok video celebrating the assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk.

The video, reportedly made by the teacher, expressed a lack of sympathy for Kirk following his death. The students are now calling for the teacher’s dismissal. “As young people, we felt it was important to share our views on this since it involves our teacher, someone who influences our future,” one student stated during the meeting. “No matter what someone says, I will never condone violence, especially against a man who was killed in front of his wife, children, and countless bystanders. This shouldn’t be celebrated, and Charlie wasn’t a harmful person.”

The student further emphasized, “Charlie’s children shouldn’t have to grow up without a father, nor should his wife have to deal with the loss of her husband. He didn’t deserve to die over differing opinions, but this teacher definitely deserves to lose his job.”

In a now-deleted TikTok, the Barrington teacher mentioned having no sympathy for Kirk due to his political stances. “This was a man who expressed hatred towards the LGBTQ community and women’s rights, and he was known for his controversial statements. So, this is what happens,” the teacher said.

Another student remarked, “As responsible citizens in this great country, we hold ourselves to a higher standard than to support or accept violence.” They added that individuals who endorse violent acts have no place teaching young children.

The third student shared their discomfort, stating, “As a Barrington High student, I feel unsafe having a teacher who supports violence. We need more compassion in this world. God bless Charlie Kirk, and may he rest in peace.”

The school board appointed an independent investigator to look into the teacher’s social media presence. Reports suggest that the teacher’s TikTok account is now set to private.

Local media indicated a divide among parents at the meeting regarding the teacher’s actions. Some, while not aligning with any political party, expressed that violence against innocent individuals cannot be tolerated, especially from someone in a role meant to shape future generations.

Charlie Kirk was shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University on a Wednesday, prompting significant backlash against educators who seemed to celebrate his assassination.