News Summary
Michelle Mickens, a high school English teacher in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, has filed a lawsuit against her employer for being suspended indefinitely after expressing views on social media about conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The lawsuit highlights concerns regarding First Amendment rights and the lack of clear policies on teachers’ off-campus social media conduct. Mickens argues that her suspension is unjustified, prompting discussions about the balance between educators’ free speech and their professional responsibilities. The case has garnered significant public support and may impact future policies regarding teachers and social media.
Oglethorpe County, Georgia—Michelle Mickens, a high school English teacher in the Oglethorpe County School System, has filed a lawsuit against her employer after being placed on an “indefinite paid suspension pending termination.” The lawsuit, centered around allegations of a violation of her First Amendment rights, arises from a Facebook post she made concerning conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed at a university event on September 10, 2025.
Mickens shared a quote from Kirk on her restricted-access Facebook page, which read in part, “I think it’s worth it. I think it’s worth to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights.” In addition to the quote, she participated in conversations with friends where she criticized Kirk, labeling him as a “fascist full of hate,” while also denouncing violence. Shortly after her post went public, Mickens faced administrative action due to screenshots taken by a high school classmate, which circulated on social media along with her employer’s contact information.
The principal of Oglethorpe County High School contacted Mickens soon after the post became viral, indicating that the school had received complaints regarding her social media activity. Despite being reassured that she was not in trouble at the time, Mickens was sent home early on September 13, just a few days later.
By September 29, Mickens was informed through her union representative that the district did not want her to return to her teaching position and that she would face termination unless she handed in her resignation. The lawsuit claims that the Oglethorpe County School System lacks any policy governing teachers’ off-campus social media activities, raising questions about the grounds for her suspension and impending termination.
Superintendent Beverley Levine commented that the district believes it will prevail in the litigation and stated that the lawsuit involves inaccuracies or incomplete information. Mickens, who has dedicated 24 years to teaching and was a finalist for Georgia Teacher of the Year, has garnered significant public support, with an online petition against her termination accumulating over 1,100 signatures.
The situation surrounding Mickens is not isolated, as several other educators in Georgia and across the nation have faced disciplinary measures for comments made regarding Kirk’s death. These actions have sparked a broader discussion about the implications of free speech in public education and the boundaries of teachers’ rights to express themselves on personal social media platforms. This continuing conversation raises important questions about the intersection of educational employment and personal expression, especially in an era where social media dialogue can rapidly escalate.
As the lawsuit unfolds, it will bring to light not only Mickens’ situation but also the policies and practices governing educators’ conduct online, potentially influencing how school districts handle similar cases in the future. Mickens’ case has now become a focal point for those advocating for teachers’ rights and freedom of speech, calling attention to the need for clarity regarding social media use and the consequences that may arise from it in a professional context.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- 11Alive
- AJC
- Law360
- Flagpole
- Online Athens
- Wikipedia: First Amendment
- Google Search: Teacher Rights in Public Education
- Google Scholar: First Amendment rights public school teachers
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Freedom of Speech
- Google News: Georgia teacher lawsuit
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