Florida teacher faces discipline after 'Most Likely to Become A Dictator' mock award sparks backlash

Teacher faces discipline after mock award sparks backlash

A Gainesville High School history teacher is facing possible discipline after reportedly giving a student a mock award labeling him ?most likely to become a dictator,? sparking backlash from the student?s family and state officials.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - A teacher in Florida is facing possible discipline after reportedly giving a student a mock award, dubbing him "Most Likely to Become a Dictator," sparking swift backlash from the student's mom and state education and political leaders.

What we know:

A Gainesville High School history teacher is under investigation after allegedly presenting a student a student-voted award for "Most Likely to Become a Dictator." It appears that the incident happened several years ago. However, the student's mom discussed the situation last week during a Florida State Board of Education meeting, saying the incident caused lasting harm to her son, and alleging that Alachua County Public Schools were critical of conservative political viewpoints.

The Florida Department of Education has filed an administrative complaint, citing alleged violations of state statutes and professional rules. The Commissioner of Education alleged the teacher violated three different Florida statutes involving moral turpitude and personal conduct, plus four different rules. The administrative complaint against the teacher states that she failed to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning or the student’s mental health, intentionally exposed a student to unnecessary embarrassment, and harassed or discriminated based on political beliefs.

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The teacher could face a range of disciplinary actions, including fines, a suspension, or revocation of her license. That teacher could also be cleared.  The Education Practices Commission will ultimately determine whether any sanctions are imposed, but no timeline has been provided. 

What they're saying:

Crystal Marull, the student's mom, briefly talked about the incident during a Florida Department of Education meeting. She said the certificate embarrassed her son and reflected what she called a "toxic" environment for conservative families in Alachua County schools.

"He was, you know, offended, I think offended more than anything, and then I was angry as a parent," Marull told FOX 35 in a Zoom interview. She said that her son has faced online bullying and had to lock all of his social media accounts. 

"He's afraid to go take his SATs on Saturday because he has to go to the high school. He was going to run into a bunch of these students who are slandering him, and it's very hurtful," she said.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier wrote a letter to the Alachua County Public School District Superintendent, calling for the teacher to be "immediately terminated, and never allowed to teach again in Florida." He shared a copy of that letter on X.

"I'll leave that to the people who have the authority to make that decision," Marull said, in response to Uthmeier's letter.

What we don't know:

It remains unclear when a decision on discipline will be made, or whether the teacher will be allowed to continue teaching during the review process. The Education Practices Commission will ultimately determine whether any sanctions are imposed, but no timeline has been provided.

What's next:

The Education Practices Commission will ultimately decide what, if any, sanctions the teacher faces. 

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