" My vice principal said she was concerned I was ' indoctrinating ' my student , " the former teacher said .
Earlier this year, Austin Independent School District (Austin ISD) teacherSophia DeLoretto-Chudysaid she was pulled into a “check-in meeting” with school administration over a list of concerns. Most notably among them: “We’ve noticed an intentional attempt in teaching your students about their legal and constitutional rights.”
you ’d think I was teaching way out west but this is downtown Austin … #TeachingTexas
In response to this, Sophia made a TikTokvideodocumenting the administration’s notes on her teaching, as well as the events that would later play out — including her subsequently being placed on leave and terminated.
Over 3.2 million people have viewed Sophia ’s now - viral video and ten of thousand followed her explanation in hopes of keeping up with this quickly turning report .
So what happened? Well, in line withTexas Senate Bill 1828, which mandates that all state schools hold a Holocaust Remembrance Week to teach history surrounding genocide, Hitler’s dangerous rise to power, and concentration camps, Sophia conducted a lesson on Hitler’s use of education. “My students learned about recognizing propaganda andwhy Hitler went into schoolsto teach nazi ideology and nationalism,” she told BuzzFeed.
Students made parallels to signs of nationalism they were familiar with, including the US practice of having students recite the pledge of allegiance every morning in schools.
As a part of the object lesson , student also learned about rights US citizens have today in comparison to restrictions put on those in 1940s Germany . And this led some to practice protesting , Sophia explained . " The issue my admin had was n’t with the lesson programme , but with my students ' decision to resist the pledge of allegiance by sitting and not reciting it with the rest of the schoolhouse , " she said . " They have have it away learning about their first amendment protection of freedom of speech and have been excited by protestation movement all throughout the year . "
However, it’s important to note that Texas in particular has alawmandating every single student to pledge allegiance to the flag of the United Statesandthe Texas state flag daily.
According to Sophia, her students' protest was seen as “indoctrination” by administration. “My vice principal said she was concerned I was ‘indoctrinating’ my students,” the 27-year-old said. “She didn’t believe that they were smart enough to make the decision to protest the pledge on their own and that they didn’t ‘fully understand a decision that big.'”
This was not the first time Sophia abut heads with admin . Previously , she allege the school discouraged teacher from speaking on canonic woman ’s health . " During human physiology hebdomad … I was not grant to tell my students that I also have a full stop because I have a uterus . "
Then, on April 27, Sophia said the head of HR recommended she be put on leave and that her contract not be renewed for the next school year.
In a letter Sophia sent to BuzzFeed that is addressed by the school district ’s Chief Human Capital Officer , recommendation for her termination were based on the following :
" Use of a computer , schoolhouse mail , or any other means of communication that is harassing , offensive , or disruptive to the school military operation ; and any action , school - connected or otherwise , that , because of publicity given it , orknowledge of it among educatee , module , and community , impairs or diminishes the employee ’s effectiveness in the District . "
In Sophia’s eyes, she says her termination is the result of “embarrass[ing] my administrator in a TikTok.”
In a argument sent to parents , Sophia said the administration , " Clarified that the reasonableness I was pulled from the classroom had nothing to do with the list of concerns I find from [ admin ] , not a parent complaint from our campus , nor anything to do with the bailiwick matter I was teaching , or how I was dressed . I was rip from teaching and enquire strictly because of the TikTok that die viral overnight . "
BuzzFeed reached out to Austin ISD for comment . We ’ll update you if or when they answer .
This incident comes amidst much controversy surrounding the state of Texas and laws passed that restrict fact-based education.
For one , educators statewide are encourage to share"opposing views"when instruction about the Holocaust . And , according to theTexas Tribune , Texas has banned more books than any other state — most of which include whole works with POC or LGBT+ fibre and report at their core .
Meanwhile, schools across the nation are experiencing ashortage of educatorsas the professionals fight forbetter payandmore respectwithin the classroom. According to theBureau of Labor Statistics, about 300,000 public school educators quit their jobs between February 2020 and May 2022, and77% of teachers in Texassay they’ve seriously considered quitting.
Sophia ’s now - former school district Austin ISD has more than 250 openings , non-profit-making Raise Your Hand Texasreports .
Though Sophia is heartbroken over the events, she acknowledged that she understands her path forward and plans to “put more of my focus” on work in the nonprofit space, “motivating young voters,” and helping her community where she can.
If you ’d like to keep up with Sophia , you may follow her onTikTok .
