A public charter school in Nashville will clear the record of a first grade teacher who received a “final warning letter” for defying the school’s “worldview” via his refusal to read a book depicting a same-sex family to students, according to the First Liberty Institute, which represented the educator and announced the decision on Monday.
First Liberty, a national organization defending religious freedom, said in a press release administrators at the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) Antioch College Prep Elementary School in Nashville originally issued the final warning against first grade teacher Eric Rivera, and also removed him from the classroom, after he declined to read a book that “promotes same-sex marriage,” featuring same-sex parents raising a daughter.
The school’s decision came despite Rivera finding another teacher to read the required literature to his classroom, and despite the teacher citing his sincere religious beliefs, according to the group.
“However, after the book had already been read to the students, the principal called Eric into her office and threatened to fire him should he not forfeit his beliefs and agree to teach all books in the curriculum regardless of his convictions,” according to First Liberty. “He was told he must ‘maintain fidelity’ with the school’s worldview.”
When Rivera sought a religious accommodation, First Liberty said he was reassigned instead.
Cliff Martin, the senior counsel at First Liberty, stated that the group was pleased with the school’s decision to clear their client.
“Our client is deeply devoted to teaching and is grateful that his record has been cleared and reasonable accommodations will be provided going forward,” said Martin.
In addition to restoring their client’s record, First Liberty said that the school pledged it would “permit all teachers to ask another employee to read materials objectionable to their faith.”
Another client of First Liberty made headlines in 2024, after a Nashville hotel abruptly canceled the 2024 Israel Summit organized by HaYovel, the Missouri-based nonprofit that organizes charity work to aid settlements in the West Bank. First Liberty announced the hotel quickly reached a resolution with the group after its decision.
First Liberty also sent a letter to the Smith County Board of Education last November, urging approval of a family’s request to start faith-based athletics clubs, which a local principal had placed on hold.
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Tom Pappert is a 2025 recipient of the Dao Prize and the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star. He also reports for the Star News Network. Follow Tom on X. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “KIPP Antioch College Prep Elementary School” by KIPP Antioch College Prep Elementary School.
The principal is the one who needs to be removed!
Is there anything we can all do to make this happen? I’m sure there are others just like her!
Proud of Mr.Rivera. First standing and not reading this garbage in school. Schools need to stick to teaching reading, English, Math, Science, Witing skills, Civics, America n government and American history. If this was being taught there wouldn’t be enough time in the day at school to read this LGBT whatever garbage .
Thank You again Mr.Rivera . Sad the school found a woke teacher to read it.. wish all parents could homeschool children.
Too little too late. Shoving this garbage down the throats of small children at school is disgusting and more. Educators in general are a bunch of left-wing woke liberals who consider family, faith and patriotism sins.
Get this crap out of our schools.