Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas recently announced charges brought against a Florida teacher for comments regarding slain Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, reports Tallahassee Democrat. The Office of Professional Practices Services (PPS) investigated Kelly Brock-Sanchez, a teacher from Clay County, who made callous and unconscionable comments on social media celebrating the death of Charlie Kirk.
He posted the announcement on X, stating that probable cause was found to sanction the teacher, who was already suspended from her job at Ridgeview Elementary School, and revoke her license.
The teacher attached to her post an article from the St. Augustine Record explaining that Charlie Kirk was assassinated at a school. She further wrote, “This may not be the obituary we were all hoping wake up to, but this is a close second for me.”
“There was an outcry from the community regarding the teacher's comments, with the Clay County school district receiving more than 500 complaints,” stated Kamoutsas. “The district had to increase security measures to ensure the safety of students and teachers, costing the district time and money, and furthering the discomfort of the students in that district.
Probably cause was found for four different charges based on the evidence found in the investigation:
1 -- gross immorality
2 -- failure to protect the health safety and welfare of students
3 -- reduced effectiveness as an educator
4 -- failing to distinguish personal views from that of a public educational institution
“As a result, we will be seeking the revocation of this educator's license. Holding educators accountable for speech that celebrates violence in schools is not a violation of free speech. It is a necessary step to uphold the standards of the teaching profession and the safety of our schools," concluded Kamoutsas.
Kamoutsas went on to speak with Jenna Ellis on the American Family Radio (AFR) program "Jenna Ellis in the Morning." The topic of discussion turned to how some people were upset with the commissioner’s announcement.
Kamoutsas mentions the teacher's union, in particular, and "far left extremists," who want to support an environment where the celebration of violence in schools is the new normal.
"I am shocked that we live in a day and age where people think it's okay – I don't care who the individual is – to celebrate a school shooting. I am tasked as the commissioner of education with ensuring that we prioritize the health, the safety, and the welfare of all our students,” says Kamoutsas.
Critics argue that these firings are against the First Amendment right of free speech. Kamoutsas responded that Florida schools uphold the First Amendment by fostering civil discourse and open dialogue, but that does not include promoting the use of violence to settle disagreements.
He goes on to say that this behavior is unacceptable.
“For anyone – let alone educators who are tasked with that same responsibility – to celebrate this violence taking place in our schools, it's totally inappropriate, and it's not going to be tolerated," states Kamoutsas.
