GEORGIA TEACHER FIRED FOR READING CHILDREN’S BOOK ABOUT ACCEPTANCE IN CLASS

About This Project

Summary

When elementary school teacher Katie Rinderle read aloud the international, best-selling children’s book My Shadow is Purple to her fifth grade gifted class at Due West Elementary School in Cobb County, Georgia, she never suspected that she was risking her 10-year career. When she was reprimanded, then fired, the Southern Poverty Law Center uplifted her case, bringing attention not only to the struggle for tolerance toward LGBTQ+ individuals but also the growing censorship of books in the South.

Goals & Objectives

The initial goal was to have Katie Rinderle's story told as SPLC attorneys monitored her case and offered assistance during her HR proceedings. As SPLC defended Rinderle in her lawsuit, the coverage was designed to show the uphill battle allies faced in supporting free speech and LGBTQ+ rights.

Results & Impact

The Rinderle case was the first instance of a teacher being fired for sharing a children's book in class. As a result of our coverage of the fight to have her reinstated became a cause celebré, shining a spotlight on freedom of speech and LGBTQ+ rights issues in the American South.