A Florida teacher is being investigated by the state Department of Education after what she believes was a targeted assault by a school board member who objected to the showing of a Disney movie in her classroom.
At a meeting of the Hernando County School Board, fifth-grade teacher Jenna Barbee alleged that school board member Shannon Rodriguez reported her to the Florida Department of Education for showing the 2022 Disney film 'Strange World' to her students. It is the first Disney film to feature an overtly homosexual character.
Florida Investigating Teacher for Showing Disney Film to Students
During public comment, Barbee, a teacher at Winding Waters K-8, stated that the Disney film was relevant to her students' Earth science lesson and lacked sexually explicit material. The Parental Rights in Education Act, which was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis last year, prohibits gender and sexual identity instruction in Florida schools.
Critics have dubbed the law 'Don't Say Gay,' and teachers have expressed concern and perplexity over the law's ambiguous language out of fear of losing their teaching licensure or facing criminal penalties for noncompliance.
According to USA Today, opponents of the law argue that the vague language unjustly targets books and classroom materials with homosexual and transgender themes and characters. The school district in Hernando County has verified that a fifth-grade teacher is being investigated for showing the inappropriate movie 'Strange World' to students after a parent complained to the principal.
Florida Teacher Defends Her Action
Barbee stated in her TikTok post that she decided to present 'Strange World' to her fifth-grade class as a respite from morning exams. She viewed the film as directly pertinent to the earth science and ecosystems curriculum they were studying, Guardian reported.
She had permission papers signed by the parents of every student in the class authorizing the showing of PG films. Last year, Disney released 'Strange World.' The fictional narrative revolves around a group of explorers seeking a rare energy-producing plant.
Ethan Clade, a main character in the animated film portrayed by comedian Jaboukie Young-White, is homosexual. He has a fleeting attraction to another masculine character. Barbee stated that, as part of the investigation by the state's education department, her students were being taken out of class individually to be questioned by officials. She added that, ironically, parental consent was not required.
Barbee emphasized that she would never force anyone to adopt her viewpoints. She stated that her goal was to disseminate "the message of benevolence, positivity, and compassion for everyone." This is essential to ensuring the safety of our offspring.
Sunday, the Tallahassee Democrat identified Shannon Rodriguez as the parent and board member who had reported Barbee. Per NY Post, Rodriguez, a member of the right-wing group Mothers for Liberty, has pushed for the removal of books she deems "smut" and "porn" from library and school shelves.
Last week at a school board meeting, Rodriguez allegedly accused Barbee of violating school policy. She stated Barbee's predicament placed her in the crosshairs of the cultural battles in Florida. DeSantis, who is expected to run for president in 2024, has made educators the focal point of his attack on "wokeness."
As a result of Disney's opposition to his "don't say homosexual" legislation, he has also made Disney a prime target. He has attempted to revoke Disney's self-governing status in Florida, while the company has filed a federal lawsuit alleging a violation of their First Amendment right to free speech.
Related Article: Texas Man Kills Girlfriend in Parking Lot After Getting Abortion
