Neosho Junior High (Photo Credit: Neosho School District)
An openly gay junior high school speech, theatre and world mythology teacher has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights after he resigned his position due to being instructed to sign a letter stating he would not discuss his sexual orientation with students.
In a Twitter thread, John M. Wallis, 22, a graduate of Neosho High School and Webster University in St. Louis, disclosed that he had been forced to resign after being told he would be required to sign a letter sent by Neosho school district Superintendent Jim Cummins, acknowledging;
“Our classrooms cannot become a personal platform for pushing one’s personal agenda. Your position in the Neosho School District is to teach speech and drama classes. You were hired because we believe you were the best candidate to do such.”
“However, if you are unable to present the curriculum in a manner that keeps your personal agenda on sexuality out of your narrative and the classroom discussions, we will ultimately terminate your employment.”
Superintendent Cummins ended the letter with:
- “There will be no references to sexuality or gender displayed in your classroom;”
- “Your instruction and classroom conversations will stay clear of discussions regarding human sexuality and/or sexual preference;” and
- “Any research or assignments given should not require a topic related to the above.”
In his social media narrative of the events, the former Neosho Junior High teacher wrote;
“I was then asked to sign a letter that stated I would not discuss human sexuality or my own personal sexuality in the classroom and could have no displays or coursework on those subjects. This action was the reason for my resignation.”
On the website for the school district, its policies regarding new hires and current employees state:
“Neosho School District considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin or disability. If you have a disability or handicap, which may require accommodations for you to participate in our application process (including filling out this form, interviewing, or any other pre-employment procedure or requirement), please make us aware of any accommodation you feel is necessary. If you have any inquiries, complaints or concerns about any pre-employment procedure or requirement, including completing this application, or about the District policy of nondiscrimination, you may contact our Title IX Coordinator.”
Notably absent, however, is explicit mention of sexual orientation and gender identity being protected by the policy.
A spokesperson for the school district refused to comment saying that its policies on personnel matters are precluded from public statements.
Wallis in his Twitter thread chronicling the events leading to his termination noted;
“At the beginning of the school year, I had two signs above my whiteboards that read “In This Classroom EVERYONE is Welcome” and an LGBTQ+ pride flag on my bookshelf. This was an attempt to make my classroom more open and welcoming for all of my students, and nothing was ever taught about the flag because it stood there as a reflection of my classroom as a safe space for my LGBTQIA+ students.”
“A parent called last week to complain that I was going to teach their child to be gay. I was then instructed to take my flag and signs down. In fact, the use of the pride flag in my classroom was compared to hanging the Confederate flag in my classroom. This of course prompted students to ask why, and I answered truthfully while expressing that, if students had a problem with who I was, there were other open classes. This led to three or more calls from parents accusing me of pushing my agenda in the classroom.”
In an interview with the Springfield, Missouri newspaper, the Springfield News-Leader, Wallis said he was reluctant to speak out initially because he didn’t want his father — a longtime district employee with the same first and last name — to face any backlash.
Wallis also told the News-Leader his intention had been to stay with the district for many years but the letter was the “reason for my resignation.”
“It appears that there is a different set of rules if you are an LGBTQ+ educator. Neosho has no mention of gender identity or sexual orientation in their non-discrimination policy, and that is disconcerting enough. Couple that with a policy banning anything that expresses part of me in the classroom, and it makes for a hostile work environment.” he added; “There is never a problem when a heterosexual teacher displays pictures of themselves and their spouses in a classroom but I have a flag and all hell breaks loose.”
A Missouri State representative and the state’s House Democratic Floor Leader, Rep. Crystal Quade, tweeted her support:
.@MrJWallis, thank you for your dedication to our kids. I am ashamed this happened and continues to happen in our state. You- and our kids- deserve better. #MOleg needs to be on the right side of history. MONA must become law and we must start putting ALL of our kids first. https://t.co/3vEj0KPeWV
— Crystal Quade (@crystal_quade) September 6, 2021
