A Texas high school educator, Jennifer Courtemanche, voluntarily resigned from Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District after her social media comments regarding the assassination of conservative figure Charlie Kirk prompted widespread criticism. The resignation, which occurred on November 24, 2025, preempted the conclusion of a formal termination procedure that the school board had initiated.
Courtemanche, an English language arts teacher, became the center of controversy when her posts on social media gained national attention. In her posts, Courtemanche speculated about the circumstances leading to Kirk's death, suggesting that his actions might have incited the fatal outcome. "Could this have been the consequences of his actions catching up with him?" she posed in one of her now-viral comments. In another statement, she questioned the reaction to Kirk's death, highlighting racial and political dynamics, "I'll bet if the victim had been Black or brown or a Democrat influencer, he'd have been singing a different tune," and asked, "Could Kirk have baited just one too many people?"
These remarks were met with immediate backlash from parents, legislators, and education officials in Texas, with many accusing Courtemanche of condoning or even celebrating political violence. Texas Representative Briscoe Cain was prominent in amplifying the contentious posts.
The school district's board of trustees voted on September 22 to propose Courtemanche's termination, instigating a formal hearing process as required by Texas law. Courtemanche had the opportunity to defend herself in a hearing before an independent examiner from the Texas Education Agency, which could have lasted up to 60 days before culminating in a recommendation to the board.
Despite the public outcry, the district was obligated to adhere to due process. Courtemanche initially resisted calls to resign and sought legal counsel to navigate the proceedings. Her resignation ultimately concluded the case before a final board decision.
The social media scrutiny extended beyond Courtemanche, with Goose Creek CISD reviewing comments from another teacher related to Kirk's assassination. However, those comments did not meet the termination criteria. Following the event, the Texas Education Agency received a surge of over 350 complaints against educators for online remarks connected to Kirk's death.
Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath cautioned superintendents in a letter that free speech rights do not encompass the endorsement or celebration of violence. Morath's statement underscored the delicate balance between freedom of expression and the promotion of violence within the educational sphere.
The debate continues in the wake of the controversy, with discussions surrounding political rhetoric, educator accountability, and the limits of speech in public education still evolving. Meanwhile, Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's widow, has publicly decried the politicization of her husband's death, expressing her dismay on Fox News’ "Outnumbered" at those attacking her family and Turning Point USA.
Courtemanche's resignation may close a chapter in this case, but it leaves unresolved issues regarding the boundaries of acceptable discourse among public educators and the broader implications for free speech in the digital age.
