A Florida teacher is facing an investigation over showing a Disney movie featuring a gay character. The teacher claims ignorance when it comes to the state’s recent law expansion, which now bans instruction regarding certain LGBTQ topics in all grades, from kindergarten to high school. Breaking this law can result in suspension or the revocation of teaching licenses. The teacher, Jenna Barbee, is a fifth-grade educator. When questioned by CNN’s Alisyn Camerota, Barbee claimed that she didn’t realize her actions were such a big deal.
Barbee states that she showed the 2022 animated Disney movie “Strange World” to her fifth-grade class as their peers finished an exam. Notably, the movie features a gay character. Barbee affirms that the parents of her students had previously authorized their children to watch PG-rated movies using signed permission slips. However, after a single parent lodged a complaint and reported her to the state Department of Education, the teacher now finds herself in hot water. The parent in question is Hernando County School District Board member Shannon Rodriguez.
According to Karen Jordan, Hernando County Schools spokesperson, Rodriguez felt that Barbee should have submitted the specific movie to the school administration for approval. As a result, Rodriguez believes that the teacher is ‘playing the victim.’ She maintained that the classroom should not be a place for conversations about religious beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other related topics. During a school board meeting last week, Barbee addressed the issue. She pushed back against Rodriguez’s claims, stating that there was no protocol in place for clearing specific movies.
Barbee explained that the movie was shown as part of a unit on earth sciences and ecosystems, and that it has only fostered curiosity in her students. Now, they want to know why the movie is being treated as controversial. She insisted that she wasn’t trying to evade school policy or indoctrinate her students. Instead, she was showing them a movie that corresponded with the curriculum and was in line with Florida’s ‘best standards.’
Rodriguez responded by stating that she won’t stand by and let this minority infiltrate their schools. She firmly believes that the movie wasn’t appropriate for students. She went on to say that it isn’t a teacher’s role to impose their beliefs on their students, irrespective of the subject in question.
Barbee countered by arguing that her students are already discussing these topics independently, meaning the door has already been opened. She said that conversations about these subjects are already part of her students’ lives. However, Rodriguez disputed this claim and found the movie’s gay character to be insignificant to the grade level audience.
The Florida Department of Education will be reviewing Barbee’s case with the help of an investigator and an attorney, who’ll provide recommendations to the commissioner regarding next steps. School board member Shannon Rodriguez has found herself at the center of the controversy, which has caused people to ask the very important question: “What is appropriate for children to watch at school?”
The incident has raised tensions between Barbee and Rodriguez, who have both had very different interpretations of school policy. Barbee recommends that parents be alerted about what their children are being taught, while Rodriguez thinks that teachers should limit their instruction to traditional topics and what she considers to be acceptable belief systems.
The incident has also highlighted the ongoing debate in Florida about what teachers can teach regarding LGBTQ topics. The law, which was passed in March 2022, has since been expanded to include all grade levels. Those who disobey the law can face suspension and the revocation of their teaching licenses.
Disney has also been thrust into the spotlight after expressing dissatisfaction with the new law. Disney has faced backlash from Governor DeSantis and other Florida Republicans, who have targeted the company for its control over land around its theme parks.
Barbee acknowledged that she submitted her resignation in the week leading up to the showing. She justified her decision by stating that there is too much political pressure in the public school system. She didn’t want to feel like she couldn’t be herself.
Both parties will be waiting to see the outcome of this situation. It would be interesting to see how it turns out and to know if other teachers have faced similar accusations in the past.
The situation in Florida has raised awareness of the need to review and clarify school policies, especially when it comes to student media consumption. This is something that both conservatives and progressives can agree on as children deserve the right to be educated without any bias and harmful content.
It’s evident that there are varied interpretations of a teacher’s role and what should be taught in schools. The challenge is to find a balance between imparting relevant knowledge and maintaining the integrity of the law. Teachers have a responsibility to provide an education that benefits all students, irrespective of their backgrounds.
In conclusion, the case of Jenna Barbee shows how different interpretations of policy guidelines can lead to controversy. It also raises the debate about the content of movies that students can watch at school. The incident highlights the need for better communication and policy clarification between teachers and school administrators.
Both conservatives and progressives alike must find common ground and agree on a curriculum that benefits the young minds it serves. If we get it right, future generations will be better for our efforts.