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Teacher Fired for Sharing Banned Books

Teacher Fired for Sharing "Banned" Books

A teacher in Oklahoma lost her job and teaching license for sharing a list of "banned" books, and it’s raising concerns about censorship and freedom of expression in the classroom. When teachers are afraid to share certain ideas or materials, it can stifle open discussion and critical thinking. This can negatively impact students' education and their ability to develop their own informed opinions. Such episodes have a chilling effect on other teachers throughout the country, who may now feel hesitant to challenge the status quo or engage in controversial topics.

Do teachers have a right to challenge state laws and regulations in their own classroom?

You can read more about this story in “Former Norman Educator Petitions Court to Reestablish Revoked Oklahoma Teaching License,” by Beth Wallis for KOSU. Summer Boismier, the former Norman High School English teacher, filed a petition to overturn the revocation of her teaching license by the Oklahoma State Board of Education. The revocation stemmed from her sharing a QR code to the Brooklyn Public Library's "Banned Books" section and covering her classroom bookshelves with a sign that read: "Books the state doesn't want you to read." This action was in response to a state law prohibiting certain discussions of race and sex in the classroom.

Boismier has argued that the Board's decision was based on parts of the law that have been temporarily paused due to a federal lawsuit. She has also alleged that the state violated her right to free speech and due process, and that the Board's decision was arbitrary and capricious, based on flimsy evidence and exceeding its statutory authority.

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