At KIPP Antioch College Prep Elementary School in Nashville, Tennessee, President Donald Trump's tenure sees a first-grade teacher, Eric Rivera, contesting disciplinary measures following his refusal to read a book featuring a same-sex married couple to his students, grounded in his Christian beliefs. The incident occurred on January 6, where Rivera, opting not to personally read the book, organized for a colleague to do so in his stead, citing a conflict with his religious convictions.
The subsequent day, Rivera was called into Principal Brittnee Kennedy's office and alerted that any deviation from teaching the curriculum "with fidelity" could lead to his termination. This meeting concluded with Rivera receiving a "Final Warning" letter, emphasizing that further infractions might result in dismissal and that the letter would be included in his personnel file. According to the First Liberty Institute, which is representing Rivera, this is the educator's first disciplinary brush with the school.
In response to the warning, Rivera sought a religious accommodation that would permit another teacher to present the books, while he maintained his role teaching the first grade. The school, however, declined this request, citing the importance of the support for same-sex marriage within the language arts curriculum. The reassignment that followed saw Rivera moved to a lab and technology position and, later, to teaching kindergarten.
The First Liberty Institute, a legal organization, argues that these actions by KIPP Nashville Public Schools are in violation of Rivera's First Amendment rights and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The institute posits that employers must afford reasonable accommodations for employees' religious practices unless such accommodations cause "undue hardship," a condition they argue is not met in Rivera's case.
Cliff Martin, senior counsel for First Liberty, stated to Fox News Digital, "Requiring a teacher to violate their religious beliefs in order to keep their job is blatant discrimination that violates the Civil Rights Act. Teachers don’t forfeit their religion or religious beliefs when they enter the classroom."
The situation also touches upon the issue of parental notification as required by Tennessee law concerning curriculum that involves sexual orientation or gender identity. The books in question, categorized under LGBT themes, are recognized by the American Library Association's Rainbow Book List.
First Liberty has called for the school to examine its adherence to notification requirements and to retain relevant records in light of potential legal action. The broader national discourse is thusly highlighted, one that grapples with the balance between institutional curriculum policies, personal religious beliefs of educators, and the rights of parents in the public education system.
First Liberty's demand letter seeks the removal of the "Final Warning" from Rivera's personnel file, the implementation of formal policies to accommodate religious objections, and assurances that such accommodations would not adversely affect instruction. As the story unfolds, neither Principal Kennedy nor the KIPP Nashville Schools Board had commented on the allegations. Rivera's case, now a rare documented instance of a teacher facing formal disciplinary action for refusing to read educational material on religious grounds, underscores the ongoing discussions over religious liberty, parental involvement, and curriculum standards in the United States.
