An American teacher is fighting to keep his job after reading an Australian children’s picture book to his class.
Katie Lindell says she bought my shadow is purple I picked this book at my school’s book fair and put it on my student’s list of reading options in March.
A fifth grade class (usually ages 10 or 11) at Dewwest Elementary School in Georgia my shadow is purplecentered on non-binary characters.
The book was written and illustrated by Melbourne-based best-selling children’s book creator Scott Stewart and was published last year.
“Students worked on the book with me and then discussed the messages they received,” Lindare said in a video for the Southern Poverty Law Center.
“What our conversation really focused on was the ability not only to accept our own differences and abilities, but also to respect and learn from the differences and capabilities of others.”
A few days later, the principal asked to see the book, she said, after complaints from parents.
Linderle was given leave during the investigation and is now facing dismissal, with a public dismissal hearing scheduled for August, according to local media.
Lindale’s attorney, Craig Goodmark, said the Cobb County School District alleges Lindale violated Georgia’s 2022 Divisive Concepts Act, according to a FOX 5 Atlanta report.
This law was introduced to prohibit educators from discussing certain topics when teaching about race and history.
In a statement to local media, the school district said, “While we will not discuss the details of the personnel review, the school district believes this action is appropriate given the teachers’ behavior and overall background.” However, as this issue is ongoing, no further comments are available. The school district remains committed to rigorously enforcing all board policies and laws. ”
In Australia, the author of this book was tired of this ordeal.
In a video posted on social media, Stuart said, “As teachers fight against layoffs, this turn of events shows how the US school system is more interested in political activism than in educating children. There are,” he said. “It’s terrible. It’s disgusting.”
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, terms such as “pornographic” content and “inappropriate topics” were repeated during the investigation.
“Let me be clear, there is nothing sexual or pornographic in this book. This is a book of acceptance and inclusion,” Stuart said in the video’s caption. “We need to support teachers, not denigrate them.”
He also pointed out that the teacher bought the book at the school’s book fair.