Georgia Teacher Appeals Firing After Reading Trans/Gender-Identity Book to 5th Grade Students

COBB COUNTY, GA – A former fifth-grade teacher out of Cobb County is reportedly appealing her termination that occurred in August after the teacher read a pro-trans/gender identity book to her class, an act which some allege conflicts with state law on what materials can be introduced in the classroom.  However, advocates of the fired educator claim otherwise, and assert her efforts were only meant to be inclusive.

On August 17th, Due West Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Katie Rinderle was terminated from her position at the school following the recommendation of Superintendent Chris Ragsdale to the Cobb County Board of Education.

Apparently, Rinderle had opted to read the book “My Shadow is Purple” to her roughly 10-year-old students back in March, which according to the book’s description on Amazon is a story about, “being true to yourself and moving beyond the gender binary.”

For the sake of context, the Georgia legislature saw HB 1178 passed back in 2022, which the legislative effort was meant to address in part the growing problem across the nation regarding ideologically/sexually charged materials being shoehorned into curriculums by zealous educators, often behind parents’ backs.

Part of HB 1178 compels educators in Georgia to inform parents about any planned instruction surrounding the umbrella term of sex education so as to afford opportunity to have their children excused from contentious lessons, which many believe concepts around gender identity fall under the sex education category.

In a statement released through the Southern Poverty Law Center, a group which has likened various Catholic churches and parental rights advocate groups to the KKK, Rinderle claimed the offending book she introduced in her classroom without parental notification was about “affirmation” and that she fell victim to “vague policies.”

“I am disappointed in the district’s decision to terminate me for reading an inclusive and affirming book — one that is representative of diverse student identities. The district is sending a harmful message that not all students are worthy of affirmation in being their unapologetic and authentic selves. This decision, based on intentionally vague policies, will result in more teachers self-censoring in fear of not knowing where the invisible line will be drawn. Censorship perpetuates harm and students deserve better.” – Katherine Rinderle

Rinderle’s claims of “censorship” has been somewhat of a disingenuous rallying cry for progressive educators and their proponents when faced with impending prohibitions, or required screenings, of certain materials introduced in a classroom or when facing ramifications for running afoul of standing prohibitions.

While not further expanded upon, the respective school district also added that Rinderle’s removal also considered, “the entirety of the teacher’s behavior and history,” which suggests a pattern or practice of questionable conduct in the classroom.

Nonetheless, following Rinderle’s termination, her attorney, Craig Goodmark, asserted their intention to appeal the termination and explore “every legal avenue” to rectify what they perceive as an injustice.

On September 14th, Rinderle’s appeal was submitted to Cobb County Superintendent Ragsdale, which the context of the appeal essentially amounts to Rinderle’s attorneys at the Goodmark Law Firm and the SPLC asking she be given her job back and have her negative record of conduct receive a “full expungement.”

“Ms. Rinderle requests that the State Board of Education reverse the Board’s decision. Consequently, with that reversal, Ms. Rinderle further requests the full expungement of her records and that she be permitted to answer in the negative to any question related to prior investigations, charges, claims, or adverse employment actions by prior employers on any subsequent certification or employment application.” – Rinderle’s notice of appeal

Cobb County Superintendent Ragsdale is expected to submit his own appeal to the State Board of Education to uphold Rinderle’s termination in the coming days.