The Franklin, Tennessee, science teacher who posted on her Instagram account that Christian martyr Charlie Kirk’s cold-blooded murder was “the price of doing business” has been suspended, a school official tells The Federalist.
Multiple sources have confirmed that the hate-laden comments were posted by Franklin High School bioSTEM teacher Emily Orbison.
“This employee has been suspended pending an investigation into this serious allegation, which is standard procedure and follows State law requirements,” Carol Birdsong, Williamson County Schools executive director of communications, wrote Monday in a statement to The Federalist.
“Expressions that glorify or trivialize violence, especially in moments of a national tragedy, are inappropriate and unacceptable,” Birdsong added. “They do not reflect the values of Williamson County Schools and undermine the trust and unity we strive to build in our community.”
‘Words Matter’
As The Federalist first reported on Saturday, Orbison (reportedly the granddaughter of rock and roll legend Roy Orbison according to a now unavailable post) in her Instagram rant highlighted a quote from Kirk in which the Second Amendment defender said, “It’s worth to have, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God given rights. That’s a prudent deal. That’s rational.”
The post sardonically asserted that it is “prudent” that Orbison should have to go through regular school shooting drills and “Reassure kids that when we get shot at, I will be there to protect them.”
“That we do not immediately leave the building if a fire alarm goes off, because that’s how shooters can get us into the hallways to kill us,” Orbison wrote.
“and don’t even get me STARTED on the vile things this POS has said about women. my blood is boiling just recalling them,” the teacher allegedly raged, urging her followers, “Don’t mourn his death. It’s just the price of doing business. Completely rational.”
Image CreditScreenshot of a story from Orbison’s Instagram account
District administrators did not respond over the weekend to The Federalist’s multiple requests for comment. On Saturday, according to Birdsong, Williamson County Schools Superintendent Jason Golden sent district employees a message addressing the “tragic events that have occurred across our country and the world over the past few days and how we as professionals react and respond.”
“Across the country, concerns are being expressed over recent comments and social media posts. We are hearing concerns, too,” Golden wrote. “During this emotionally heightened time, I want to remind you of what we teach our students: words matter. As you navigate through the remainder of the weekend and into next week, I ask you to pause before hitting ‘send’ on an email or make a social media post regarding recent events.”
“Please recognize that this is a painful time for so many people, and professional teachers need to lead the way in empathy, compassion and decency in how we communicate,” the superintendent added. “Think about how your word choice might affect others in this difficult national time, and as always, treat others how you would like to be treated.”
‘No Justification’
Williamson County Board of Education member Tony Bostic on Saturday told The Federalist in a statement that he cannot speak for the board but said Orbison’s comments, “if true,” are “despicable.”
“Regardless of what someone might feel about Charlie Kirk’s political beliefs, there is absolutely no justification EVER for political violence. To suggest otherwise, shows a morally bankrupt individual who, in my opinion, should not be shaping the minds of young students,” Bostic said in an email response.
State Rep. Lee Reeves, a Franklin Republican and a candidate for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District seat, said, “There’s no place in our schools for radical leftist teachers who celebrate murder.”
“We must have zero tolerance for those who glorify violence — especially when entrusted with our kids. I’ve made this clear to members of the Williamson County School Board. I won’t budge,” Reeves said in a statement to The Federalist.
Reeves’ wife, Williamson County School Board Member Claire Reeves, said the “reported comments from a Franklin High teacher about Charlie Kirk’s death are deeply troubling.”
“Let me be clear: this matter will be taken seriously and addressed promptly. Our students, families, and community deserve respect and professionalism from those entrusted to teach,” she wrote on her Facebook page above a link to The Federalist’s story.
The Williamson County School Board is scheduled to meet Monday evening. Members are expected to hear an earful from district residents during the public comment period.
Teachers, college professors, airline pilots, reporters, and even a U.S. Secret Service agent have been fired or have been placed on administrative leave for callous social media posts about Kirk in the wake of the Turning Point founder’s assassination. The leftist Guardian’s misleading headline over the weekend declared, “Several people fired after clampdown on speech over Charlie Kirk shooting.” The spurious headline is akin to a corporate media narrative that unhinged leftists are being targeted for using their rights to free expression to cheer Kirk’s death. But celebrating and urging on assassination is rightly frowned upon by employers, who also have a right to fire employees who say really awful things.
As Williamson County School Board member Dan Cash told The Federalist, young people are listening.
“In light of the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk, many of the WC School Board members (myself included) are working closely with our Principals, teachers, and staff members to ensure negative feedback is not being relayed to students in the classroom and/or on social media,” Cash said in an email over the weekend. “We are aware of some such instances. All involved are taking this very seriously.”
Matt Kittle is a senior elections correspondent for The Federalist. An award-winning investigative reporter and 30-year veteran of print, broadcast, and online journalism, Kittle previously served as the executive director of Empower Wisconsin.
