A Ridgeview Elementary School educator claims her remarks about Charlie Kirk fall under protected speech.
CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — A teacher from Clay County, currently on suspension, has initiated legal action against Florida’s education commissioner following her suspension over remarks concerning Charlie Kirk.
On September 11, 2025, the former Ridgeview Elementary teacher stirred controversy with online comments about Kirk’s death, expressing, “This may not be the obituary we were all hoping to wake up to, but his is a close second for me.”
By September 22, 2025, Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas responded with an administrative complaint, threatening the teacher’s Florida Educator’s Certificate with sanctions or even permanent revocation.
The lawsuit contends the teacher’s statements are safeguarded by the First Amendment.
In her legal filing, the teacher is pursuing a preliminary injunction, unspecified damages, litigation costs, attorney fees, a jury trial, and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
