On Friday, the Libs of TikTok shared a video of a wake-up call from a Florida teacher featuring middle school students. In the videos, teacher Ethan Hooper, a language arts teacher at Howard Middle School in Orange Country, Florida, engages younger students in a Black History Month “skit.”
In a video, Hooper mocks state education officials’ decision to remove inappropriate books from Florida schools.
Florida teacher engages students in a series of TikToks mocking FL Department of Education for removing books from schools containing pornography, CRT, and gender ideology pic.twitter.com/i8BzdhFsbw
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 17, 2023
Another shows white students working as servants for black students.
This Florida teacher forces students to participate in a Black History Month skit in which white students act as servants for black students. pic.twitter.com/g29SgNd3pn
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 17, 2023
After facing backlash for the “skit,” Hopper has reportedly been placed on administrative leave.
Florida Voice reports:
Hooper took down the videos after Florida voice districts asked if it was appropriate behavior for a teacher.
Superintendent Maria Vazquez said, “I am appalled by the behavior and judgment of the teacher who posted inappropriate videos using her students as political props.
“This is not free speech – this is the exploitation of our students for political purposes and it will not be tolerated in our school district.”
Orange County Public Schools media manager Michael Ollendorf said the district “will not tolerate” using children as political pawns in the classroom.
“Any employee who creates videos or other content with students in an attempt to exploit them for political purposes will be immediately removed from the classroom, placed on administrative leave and subject to immediate termination of employment,” Ollendorff said.
The series of videos is labeled “POV A Florida Classroom” and shows the teacher repeating to students that they “don’t read books,” “books are bad,” and “if I read it’s approved by the feds.”