A high school teacher in Seminole County has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation after making politically charged comments in class following the recent election results. The teacher, who works at Lake Brantley High School, reportedly warned her students, “If you are not white, you are going to be in trouble over the next four years as far as the living situation in the United States, and I’m not kidding.”
The alleged comments came after discussing election results in reference to Project 2025, a policy blueprint created by conservative groups with the goal of reshaping federal government policies. According to the teacher, this initiative could have significant impacts on immigration and other social issues. “They’re talking about deporting people. If you’re from Central or South America, they want to deport you,” she told the class. “He’s talking about deporting Black people back to Africa. I don’t know why he thinks they have any place to go when you guys were born in the United States, most of you.”
One student questioned the teacher’s statements, asking, “Wait, so Trump is going to deport everybody back to where they are from? What if my mom’s white?” The teacher replied, “Again, I think you’re missing my point,” before stressing that she was sharing this information because their generation would be most impacted.
A parent of a student in the class described her reaction to the remarks as “shocked” and “in disbelief,” adding that her son was also disturbed by the teacher’s comments. “He couldn’t believe it either. I don’t want the other kids to be scared or terrified that they are being shipped off somewhere,” she said.
Following reports from several students and parents, school administrators began an investigation. The school principal addressed the school community, noting that the matter has been referred to the Office of Professional Standards. The teacher has been placed on temporary administrative leave while the investigation is underway.
In one instance, the teacher reportedly told students they were too young to fully understand the gravity of these issues, saying, “I know you think it’s funny, but you’re not really old enough to know what it’s like to have somebody like that in office. I do. I’ve seen it. My dad fought in World War II against Hitler’s Nazis.”
The student’s mother expressed relief that the situation is being reviewed. “I’m glad that they’re investigating it. I’m glad she’s out of the classroom for now. Hopefully, it’s something that will be addressed and won’t happen again in the future,” she said.