Annie Dunleavy, a special education teacher in Connecticut, resigned after a video of her making threats and expressing violence towards supporters of President-elect Trump went viral. In the video, Dunleavy warned Trump supporters that she would “handle” them and threatened violence towards those who voted for Trump. After the video surfaced, Cheshire Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeff Sloan issued a statement saying that Dunleavy had been temporarily removed from the school pending an investigation. Dunleavy later resigned from her position after the incident.
In response to the video, Connecticut state Sen. Rob Sampson condemned Dunleavy’s behavior, calling it unbecoming of a public school teacher. Sampson emphasized the importance of educators fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their or their parents’ beliefs. He also stressed the need to eliminate political bias from classrooms and called for accountability in the education system. Sampson sent a letter to Sloan expressing his concerns about the hostile language and threats made by Dunleavy in the video.
The Connecticut Educator’s Association (CEA) also acknowledged the video and emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive and respectful environment in schools. CEA President Kate Dias called for civil discussions and encouraged everyone to engage in respectful conversations, especially in the aftermath of the election. The CEA values free speech but stresses the importance of sharing views constructively and prioritizing respect, unity, and a commitment to educating and caring for students.
Dunleavy later appeared on a news station to apologize for her actions in the video, explaining that she was in a moment of high emotion and expressing remorse for her words. She clarified that her intention was to convey that she would defend herself if faced with violence, rather than incite violence against others. Despite her apology, the video sparked outrage and concern among students, parents, and community members. The Cheshire Police Department launched an investigation into the incident but stated that Dunleavy would not be facing any criminal charges.
The incident involving Annie Dunleavy highlights the broader issue of political polarization and intolerance in educational settings. Public school teachers are expected to maintain a neutral and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their political beliefs. Educators like Dunleavy who express hostile language and threats undermine the trust and faith that communities place in the school system. Moving forward, there is a need for increased accountability and professionalism among educators to ensure that students feel safe, respected, and supported in their learning environment.
