A middle school teacher in Texas was fired for giving her students an illustrated version of Anne Frank's diary, leading some to view it as a deliberate assault on the truth. The teacher, who taught eighth grade, was dismissed by the Hamshire-Fannett independent school district after they deemed the book "inappropriate" for students. According to KFDM, this incident has sparked controversy and debate surrounding censorship in education.
Ari Folman and David Polonsky collaborated on a graphic novel that reimagines Anne Frank's diary, chronicling her experiences as a 13-year-old girl hiding in an annex during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam. The school district recently informed parents via email that the book, which they claim was not authorized, will no longer be included in the curriculum.
By Wednesday, the district sent out emails to parents, notifying them that the teacher had been terminated after a thorough investigation into the incident.
The most recent termination in Texas occurs amidst the enactment of educational regulations that curtail the instruction of race, sexuality, and other subjects in classrooms throughout the United States.
In 2021, Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, signed a law that significantly restricts educators' ability to teach about topics concerning race and gender. Additionally, Texas has prohibited more books than any other state; over 430 books have been banned from schools in Texas.
Robison mentioned that numerous teachers in Texas are feeling scared, frustrated, and stressed when it comes to dealing with limitations within the educational setting.