A recent decision by the Texas Education Agency to investigate educators who praised or excused Charlie Kirk’s assassination has sparked concerns among teachers about their free speech protections. The agency has received 351 complaints, including from Fort Worth ISD, where a teacher was fired in 2019 for posting anti-immigrant comments.
Experts say that while public employees have the right to speak on matters of public concern, their off-duty speech can be restricted if it causes significant disruption to their employer’s operations. The tension between free expression and disruption is what district action typically focuses on.
The Texas Classroom Teachers Association has received calls from teachers seeking advice on how to navigate the current landscape. The association’s director of legal services, Julie Leahy, advises educators to engage in respectful dialogue and protect student confidentiality when expressing opinions outside of class.
However, the uncertainty creates incentives for organized outrage campaigns, which can lead to teachers being fired or facing disciplinary action without due process. Educators must balance their right to free speech with the potential consequences of causing disruption in the classroom.
The case highlights the murky boundaries of educators’ First Amendment rights and the need for clear guidelines on what constitutes acceptable speech outside of work.
Source: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/10/01/teachers-free-speech-rights-tested-as-texas-investigates-351-complaints