Knox County Schools teacher suspended with pay after his social media posts spark outrage
Knox County Schools teacher suspended with pay after his social media posts spark outrage
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Superintendent Jon Rysewyk confident Knox Schools are safe places
Knox County Schools Superintendent Jon Rysewyk talks about school safety during a news conference on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024.
A Karns High School social studies teacher has been suspended with pay over posts he made on his personal social media page. The posts mocked DEI programs, trans people and Palestinians; praised Jan. 6 insurrectionists; and included sexist remarks about former Vice President Kamala Harris.
A collection of screenshots of his comments and reposts were shared widely in the community.
On Feb. 5, the teacher was suspended with pay in accordance with district policy, Knox County Schools spokeswoman Carly Harrington said, pending an investigation.
The teacher has been licensed to teach in Tennessee since 2013 and has taught in Nashville. Knox News is not naming him as the investigation plays out.
What is the district's policy on social media for teachers?
KCS policy leaves personal social media use to the discretion of employees and prohibits using social media to communicate with students.
Employees cannot post or disclose any identifiable student information or confidential information on social media sites.
The policy does not dictate what employees may post on political issues.
Areena Arora, data and investigative reporter for Knox News, can be reached by email at areena.arora@knoxnews.com. Follow her on X @AreenaArora and on Instagram @areena_news.
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