News Summary
Hope McMath, an art teacher at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville, is under investigation by the Florida Department of Education for violating professional conduct standards due to several controversial social media posts. These include offensive remarks about a city councilman and politically charged comments linked to activist Charlie Kirk. Following these incidents, McMath has been reassigned from her teaching duties. The case has sparked a debate on educators’ social media conduct and First Amendment rights.
News Summary
Hope McMath, an art teacher at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville, is under investigation by the Florida Department of Education for violating professional conduct standards due to several controversial social media posts. These include offensive remarks about a city councilman and politically charged comments linked to activist Charlie Kirk. Following these incidents, McMath has been reassigned from her teaching duties. The case has sparked a debate on educators’ social media conduct and First Amendment rights.
Jacksonville, Florida – The Florida Department of Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas has filed a complaint against art teacher Hope McMath, currently at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, citing violations of professional conduct standards due to several controversial social media posts. The complaint has stirred considerable attention and raised questions regarding educators’ conduct on social media.
The complaint specifically references a Facebook post where McMath labeled Jacksonville City Councilman Rory Diamond as the “Grand Wizard,” alleging that he uses “racist dog whistles.” Following this incident, McMath was reassigned from her classroom duties pending further investigation.
In addition to that post, the complaint notes a 2021 event at the Yellow House Art gallery, where it is alleged that McMath exposed students to her personal beliefs by providing them with books titled ‘God Is Trans.’ Another incriminating post by McMath involved a comment about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, where she expressed her views in a remark stating, “Karma’s a b and she heard all your speeches when you proudly proclaimed that you didn’t give a s*** about other people’s lives.” Furthermore, another post allegedly displayed an image of a person holding a severed head representing former President Donald Trump.
The formal complaint asserts that McMath’s behavior is considered morally unacceptable, undermining her effectiveness as an employee while failing to maintain professional standards. If the complaint is upheld, potential sanctions could range from a written reprimand to more severe consequences such as suspension or revocation of her teaching certificate.
McMath’s attorney, John M. Phillips, has publicly criticized the ongoing leaks from government officials regarding the case and has stated that they have not yet received a formal complaint or response from the Florida Department of Education or Duval County Public Schools. Phillips emphasized concerns about First Amendment rights in relation to McMath’s social media expression, asserting that she has not engaged in any malfeasance in her role as an educator.
The controversy surrounding McMath’s posts was initially prompted by a request from Moms for Liberty, a parental rights group that called for an investigation into her and four other school district employees due to their posts related to Charlie Kirk. This group believes that McMath’s social media activities bring her activism into the classroom, arguing that she should not have access to a “student audience for ONE MORE DAY.”
Hope McMath is a prominent figure within Jacksonville’s arts and social justice communities. She has held significant positions, including serving as the Executive Director of the Cummer Museum and teaching AP Art History for the past three semesters at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts.
In response to the public outcry regarding McMath’s posts, the Florida Department of Education has declared that educators making harmful comments will undergo thorough investigations and will be held accountable for their actions. This incident adds to a growing scrutiny at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, where previous misconduct allegations involving other teachers have surfaced, raising questions about how the school administration has handled these matters.
As the situation unfolds, many in the education community await the Department of Education’s next steps and the potential implications for McMath’s teaching career and the broader discussion about educators’ expression on social media platforms.
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Additional Resources
- First Coast News
- Jacksonville.com
- Action News Jax
- Wikipedia: Social Media Etiquette
- News 4 Jax
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Teacher
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
