Trust in the Classroom at Stake After Teacher’s Remarks on Charlie Kirk

As Charlie Kirk’s family prepares to lay the 31-year-old to rest, Williamson County, Tennessee has found itself at the center of a growing national controversy.

Kirk was far more than a conservative icon. He was a husband, a father, and above all, a man of deep faith who lived his devotion to God in every part of his life. As the founder of Turning Point USA — one of the most, if not the most, influential conservative action organizations in the country — he built a movement that encouraged millions to stand boldly for their convictions. He often reminded others that faith should never be confined to Sunday mornings or private corners, but woven into every decision, from daily life to civic engagement, even at the ballot box. It was this seamless union of faith and action that defined him, set him apart, and ultimately made him a target in life and, tragically, in death.

That reality makes the controversy surrounding Franklin High School science teacher Emily Orbison all the more shocking. Shortly after news of Kirk’s assassination broke, Orbison posted to Instagram that his murder was “completely rational,” sneering, “Guess there wasn’t a good guy with a gun there. Shame. Don’t mourn his death. It’s just the price of doing business.” The post quickly drew outrage from parents, board members, and elected officials, who said such remarks are “despicable,” and “morally bankrupt".

Superintendent Jason Golden has confirmed that the district will investigate Orbison’s actions and issue a decision about her future employment within two weeks. State law allows up to 90 days for such reviews, but the high-profile nature of this case, coupled with widespread public outcry, makes it likely the district will move swiftly. Political pressure is mounting as well, with leaders including State Senator Jack Johnson, State Rep. Lee Reeves, and U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn calling for Orbison’s immediate removal. Yet while those officials were quick to make statements, none attended the Sunday evening prayer vigil in Franklin town center, held in Kirk’s honor, where between 3,000 and 4,000 people gathered to mourn and to stand firm in faith. The vigil featured speakers such as Victoria Jackson of Saturday Night Live fame, Kathie Lee Gifford, Michael W. Smith, and Gary Chapman. Local officials and grassroots leaders, including Commissioners Lisa Hayes (who co-organized the vent) and Mary Smith, State Representatives Jody Barrett and Monty Fritts, and Gary Humble of Tennessee Stands (and now candidate for state senate), were also present, and took turns praying for comfort, for courage, and unapologetic boldness.

The Orbison controversy is not isolated. Across Tennessee and beyond, similar cases have erupted as educators openly mocked Kirk’s death. Two faculty members at East Tennessee State University were placed under review after celebrating the assassination online, with one declaring, “You reap what you sow,” and another posting, “This isn’t a tragedy. It’s a victory.” At Middle Tennessee State University, an employee was terminated outright for “inappropriate and callous comments” about Kirk’s killing.

The sharpest response so far has come from Oklahoma, where State Superintendent Ryan Walters has vowed to permanently revoke the teaching license of any educator who glorifies Kirk’s assassination. “They will never step foot in an Oklahoma classroom again,” he said. His stance underscores a growing national demand for accountability: educators entrusted with the care and instruction of students cannot simultaneously celebrate political violence without undermining that trust.

Other states have seen the same pattern unfold. A teacher in South Carolina lost her job after posting that “America became greater today.” Two Iowa teachers were placed on leave after one called Kirk’s death “a blessing.” Similar investigations are underway in Texas, Florida, and elsewhere.

For many in Williamson County, the issue strikes particularly close to home. This is a community where approximately seventy percent of residents identify as conservative, and the vast majority also identify as Christian. The idea that a local teacher could celebrate the assassination of a man precisely because he shared their beliefs is more than offensive — it is unacceptable. The question is not whether such speech is distasteful; it is whether someone who holds such views can be trusted with the sacred responsibility of teaching the next generation.

Amid the grief, Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika, has vowed that her husband’s mission will continue. “The movement my husband built will not die. It won’t. I refuse to let that happen… His voice will remain, and it will ring out louder and more clearly than ever,” she said in a powerful tribute. Her words stand in sharp contrast to the callousness of those who mocked his death, underscoring the difference between a movement grounded in faith and resilience and a culture that increasingly tolerates, even celebrates, hate.

As Williamson County now finds itself in the mix of the national controversy, the story is about far more than one teacher’s Instagram post. It is about the standards we set for those who influence our children, the integrity of the classroom as a place of trust, and whether politics and hostility will be allowed to erode that foundation. And it is about a man whose life, faith, and courage continue to echo — even in the shadow of his death.

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