A Detroit charter school teacher who was once named “Teacher of the Month” claims she was fired because a parent complained about her rap career, and then went on a music show with her students to announce her forced expulsion. A video was shot.
Domonique Brown, who goes by the pseudonym Drippin Honey, revealed on social media that she was a U.S. history teacher at Taylor Preparatory High School in metro Detroit until she was fired earlier this month.
“Recently, I was forced to leave my job because I’m a rapper” Brown Posted on Instagram. “One parent’s opposition led to my termination.”
Brown revealed that an anonymous parent complaint was filed in October after she released her song “Drippin 101,” resulting in months of meetings with school administrators. .
“The first person I met with was the dean and the principal. They just said, ‘A parent saw your social media and said, ‘You’re a bad influence because you’re a rapper.’ ,” Brown told WJBK.
As his parents complained, Brown continued to meet with authorities and was forced to choose between a day job and a rap career.
“Five months later, I had meeting after meeting defending my involvement in the music industry, and I was asked to erase all my content. That’s when I knew I had to bet on myself. Because if I don’t do it, no one else will.”
Brown, undeterred by the dismissal and complaints from parents, filmed a music video with more than a dozen students.
She said she shot this video on the last day of February. According to WDBJ7.
The video has since been viewed more than 32,000 times on YouTube.
“Music is part of the culture,” she said. “We’re from Motown and this is what we do. So it’s not unheard of, it’s the culture. When you look like me, you understand a little bit more. …”
Brown argued that the school did not consider the impact she would have on students when making the decision to fire her.
“Living outside should not be grounds for dismissal unless it interferes with the ability to fulfill your teaching responsibilities,” she said. “My dedication, professionalism, and passion for education have always remained unwavering, regardless of my personal pursuits.”
Brown has been teaching for seven years, all the while working toward a master’s degree with the dream of one day earning a Ph.D. According to WJBK.
She started working at the charter school last August and was named the school’s “Teacher of the Month” in December, the paper said.
“It is worth noting that when I was hired as a teacher, my involvement in the music industry as a rapper was not a hindrance to my candidacy. based on the potential for impact,” Brown’s post continued.
She also claims that if she had been a bad teacher, the school would have fired her immediately and said administrators lacked sufficient transparency throughout the ordeal.
Taylor Prep is approximately 29 miles from downtown Detroit.
The school said it was aware of Brown’s allegations but was limited in what it could say, citing student and staff privacy.
“The well-being of our students remains the top priority in everything we do, and we strive to provide a distraction-free teaching and learning environment focused on student success,” a school statement obtained by Fox 2 Detroit said. We will continue to foster the development of
Ms. Brown attempted to substantiate her professionalism by inviting anonymous parents into her classroom during lessons to show them what kind of teacher she was.
“I thought, ‘Hey, to that parent, you see the professionalism, you see me in the classroom, you see me after school, you watch all the games, you drop off and pick up your kids every day. Can I ask you to come and see me buying food?’” Brown said. “Before they say I’m not a professional in my field, can they please come and see me in action?”
Brown said she has received support from more than 200 parents and students, but it is not about getting a job.
“I truly do my best for everyone in the community!! I go to every game, provide transportation, buy food, clothing, housing, free tutoring, girls club, etc!!”
