A River Road Independent School District (ISD) teacher has resigned after posting controversial comments on social media following the assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk.
The teacher’s post read, “I’m sorry Charlie Kirk led such a miserable short life that people are breathing a sigh of relief he is gone,” sparking public outrage and calls for accountability.
According to River Road ISD Superintendent Richard Kelley, the teacher initially defended the post, arguing it was an exercise of free speech. Kelley explained, the teacher claimed he was "exercising his right to free speech by voicing his opinion on a matter of public concern on his personal social media account."
However, the comment drew criticism from state education officials. Mike Morath, Texas Commissioner of Education, issued guidance to school districts emphasizing that free speech protections do not extend to statements that celebrate or incite violence against individuals with differing beliefs. In a letter to all superintendents, Morath wrote that such actions “does not give carte blanche authority to celebrate or sow violence against those that share differing beliefs and perspectives.”
Following Morath’s directive, Kelley said the district reported the teacher to the State Board of Educator Certification for further review.
Kelley also confirmed that the teacher has since issued an apology and tendered their resignation, which the district accepted. No additional disciplinary measures have been disclosed publicly.
The incident has reignited broader debates over social media use by educators and the boundaries of free speech in professional contexts. While teachers are entitled to personal opinions, experts say statements that endorse or celebrate violence, even outside the classroom, can have serious professional consequences.
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