Q&A – Rouge Teachers in Florida Schools

Q&A – Rouge Teachers in Florida Schools 

Each day I feature a listener question sent by one of these methods.   

Email: brianmudd@iheartmedia.com  

Social: @brianmuddradio  

iHeartRadio: Use the Talkback feature – the microphone button on our station page in the iHeart app.        

Today’s entry: @brianmuddradio Please check out these posts from this Alachua mom about the evil & corruption in Alachua public schools. & the usual efforts to punish parents who speak out by bullying & shaming their kids. Appalling but not surprising. Would love to hear your take. Thanks! 

Bottom Line: Today’s note included a link to the testimony of the mother of the student in question before the Florida Board of Education. So, about this... In Alachua County, a Gainesville High School teacher, Lauren Watts, has been suspended and faces potential disciplinary action following a 2023 incident where a student was awarded a certificate titled "Most Likely to Become a Dictator" in her class.  

The issue came to light when Crystal Marull, the mother of the student, testified at a State Board of Education meeting recently, claiming her son was targeted due to his conservative values, interest in history, and participation in ROTC. Marull stated that the teacher allowed classmates to label her son a "Naziphile" and orchestrated a class vote for the derogatory award, which the student refused to accept in front of the class. 

The mother’s testimony went viral and caught the attention of numerous officials including Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who condemned the teacher’s actions, saying that if the allegations are true, Watts should be terminated and barred from teaching in Florida. In a letter to the Alachua County School Board, Uthmeier argued that the teacher violated state laws and school policies by harassing a student based on political beliefs. Similarly, Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas also investigated the matter, identified Watts as the teacher involved, and filed an administrative complaint with the Education Practices Commission. 

The complaint accuses Watts of multiple violations, including gross immorality, reducing her effectiveness as an educator, failing to protect the student’s mental health, and discriminating based on political beliefs. Potential sanctions include a written reprimand, probation, fines, suspension, or revocation of her teaching certificate. Those are the facts of the case as we know them now – so we’ll see how this plays out from here. As for my perspective on this... 

Firstly, this incident occurred two years ago and we’re only learning of it now. 1) How has this teacher conducted herself over the prior two years? Are there potential additional victims? 2) It’s a reminder for parents to interact with their children about what’s happening in the classroom and what’s happening educationally. Many parents are busy, many kids – especially those who aren’t standout performers in the classroom,  aren’t inclined to openly talk about what’s been taught without prompting. 

I’d imagine many conservatives would expect something like this to occur in a public school in California, for example, but wouldn’t expect it in Florida due to the emphasis the state has placed on parental rights in education and stamping out woke activism by the education establishment. But what’s also important to remember is to always consider this source.  

Nearly four years ago, during the initial push towards the changes in Florida’s education laws I shared this: A research study conducted by Verdant Labs regarding the political affiliation of teachers. The results were overwhelming, and the political bend starts even before they reach K-12 education.  

• Preschool Teachers: 74% Democrats 
• Elementary & Middle School Teachers: 85% Democrats 
• High School Teachers: 87% Democrats 

So not only are teachers overwhelmingly liberal, but they’re also increasingly liberal as your kids advance through their academic careers.  

The bottom line is that the education establishment is overwhelmingly occupied and commonly run by leftists. This means conservative parents are almost certain to have their children regularly encounter educators who do not share their values. Most teachers are able to put politics to the side and do what’s right for their students. Some obviously don’t.  

The current example in Gainesville is an extreme example of biases applied in the classroom. The bigger takeaway here from my perspective is that where agendas in education may exist – they're usually not so obvious. I say this from experience. Also, most grade school students aren’t especially politically savvy and can be subjected to biased education and conduct without even realizing it. It’s one of many reasons it’s important for parents to remain engaged with their children about what is and isn’t happening in the classroom.