A Georgia teacher who was accused of violating the school district’s policy on controversial topics by reading a book on gender fluidity to her fifth-grade class has won her tribunal case and will not be fired.
The book that sparked controversy
Katie Rinderle, a teacher at Due West Elementary School in Marietta, Georgia, read the picture book “My Shadow is Purple” by Scott Stuart to her students in April 2023. The book tells the story of a child who has a purple shadow that likes different things than the child, such as wearing dresses and playing with dolls. The book aims to teach children about acceptance and diversity.
However, some parents complained that Rinderle did not get their permission to read the book, which they considered inappropriate and offensive for their children. They also claimed that Rinderle was promoting a political agenda and indoctrinating the students with LGBTQ+ ideology.
The district’s decision to fire Rinderle
The Cobb County School District, Georgia’s second-largest school district, decided to fire Rinderle after an investigation found that she violated the district’s policy on controversial topics. The policy requires teachers to get preapproval from the principal and notify parents before bringing up potentially sensitive topics in the classroom. The policy was modeled after new state laws that were passed in 2022 to restrict the teaching of certain subjects, such as critical race theory and gender identity.
Rinderle appealed the district’s decision and requested a hearing before a tribunal, which is a panel of three retired educators appointed by the district. The tribunal heard the case on August 12 and 13, 2023, and listened to testimonies from Rinderle, her colleagues, her students, and the parents who complained.
The tribunal’s ruling in favor of Rinderle
On August 15, 2023, the tribunal announced its ruling in favor of Rinderle, rejecting the district’s recommendation to terminate her employment. The tribunal found that Rinderle did not violate the policy on controversial topics, as she did not intend to teach about gender identity or sexuality, but rather about empathy and kindness. The tribunal also noted that Rinderle had a positive impact on her students’ academic performance and social-emotional development.
Rinderle expressed her appreciation for the tribunal’s decision, but also criticized the district for its lack of guidance and support for teachers. She said that the district’s policies were vague and punitive, and that they prioritized bigotry and discrimination over quality education and student welfare.
“I appreciate the tribunal’s consideration of my case and decision not to terminate me,” Rinderle said in an emailed statement through the Southern Poverty Law Center. “However, I disagree that I’ve violated any policy and that finding remains unjust and punitive. The district has never provided adequate guidance on how I am supposed to know what is and what is not allowed in the classroom based on these vague policies. Prioritizing behaviors and attitudes rooted in bigotry and discrimination does not benefit students and undermines the quality of education and the duty of educators.”
The next steps for Rinderle
The tribunal’s ruling is not final, as the Cobb County School Board has the authority to adopt, reject, or modify it during its meeting on August 19, 2023. Board Chair Brad Wheeler said that the board would review the tribunal’s recommendation and make a decision soon.
Rinderle’s case has drawn national attention as a test of what public school teachers can teach in class, how much a school system can control teachers, and whether parents can veto instruction they dislike. It also comes amid a nationwide conservative backlash to books and teaching about LGBTQ+ subjects in school.
Rinderle said that she hoped her case would inspire other teachers to stand up for their rights and their students’ needs. She also said that she wanted to return to her classroom and continue teaching.
“I love my job as an educator,” she said. “I love my students. I love my school community. I want nothing more than to be back in my classroom doing what I do best — teaching.”
