Special education teacher resigns, apologizes after viral video threatening Trump voters
A special education teacher in Connecticut has resigned from her position after a viral video surfaced of her making threatening remarks towards supporters of President-elect Trump. Annie Dunleavy, a teacher at Cheshire Public Schools, was captured in a Snapchat video expressing her anger towards those who voted for Trump, stating, “Just because you won doesn’t mean we don’t remember who the f— you voted for.”
In the video, Dunleavy goes on to say, “Please don’t test your gangster on me because you will end on a stretcher, gone forever. So serious.” She also adds, “If you voted for Trump please delete me, block me, get rid of everything of me or step to me so that I know what’s up, and I can handle you how I see fit.”
The video quickly went viral, leading to outrage and calls for disciplinary action against Dunleavy. Cheshire Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeff Sloan released a statement expressing his disappointment in Dunleavy’s comments and stating that she has been temporarily removed from the school pending an investigation.
Following the backlash, Dunleavy issued an apology and announced her resignation from the school district. In a statement, Sloan confirmed that Dunleavy had resigned from her position, effective immediately. He emphasized that her comments do not reflect the position of the school system and that they are committed to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all students.
The Cheshire Police Department is also investigating the incident, although Dunleavy will not be facing any criminal charges. Connecticut state Sen. Rob Sampson condemned Dunleavy’s behavior, calling it “deeply troubling” and emphasizing the need to eliminate political bias from classrooms.
The Connecticut Educator’s Association (CEA) also weighed in on the incident, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive and respectful environment in schools. CEA President Kate Dias called for civil discussions and respectful conversations, urging everyone to prioritize respect and unity.
In an exclusive interview with NEWS 8 WTNH.com, Dunleavy expressed remorse for her actions, stating that she was in a moment of high emotion when she made the video. She clarified that her intention was to protect herself in the face of potential violence and apologized for the way her message came across.
Overall, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining professionalism and respect in all interactions, especially in educational settings. It also highlights the need for open and civil discourse, even in the midst of strong emotions and differing opinions.
