Heyworth teacher resigns following controversial book in classroom

Heyworth (25News Now) - A teacher in Heyworth has resigned shortly after being placed on administrative leave.

Administrators did not release to 25News what actually caused this teacher to be put on paid leave, but parents at the meeting referenced questionable material about sexual health and sexuality in a middle school classroom.

Some parents shared concerns at the special meeting on Thursday about the images involved in the book, some described as cartoon-type images.

Others argued the material was not much different than the typical ‘sex ed’ textbook but was instead inclusive to the LGBTQ+ community.

“When you see stuff like that not only as a parent but as a member of the community, it makes you wonder what else is going on in other classrooms,” said parent Jeff Klawitter.

Also in the crowd tonight was Bryanna Tidmarsh, who described herself as an expert on these types of topics as a doctoral candidate in children’s literature at Illinois State University. During her public comment, she said she and her child are part of the LGBTQ+ community.

“I guarantee the same folks that are critical of this curriculum, it’s not even curriculum of having this book in the classroom just available for someone to choose, are probably not the kind of parents I would have felt safe talking to,” said Tidmarsh.

This is the book Tidmarsh was referring to: This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson.

Following execute session by the school board, a separation agreement with the teacher was approved.