A Talawanda teacher was put on administrative paid leave after posting a public politically-leaning TikTok.
Last week, parents of Talawanda students reported a TikTok posted by high school teacher Danielle Mann. In the TikTok, posted on Nov. 7, Mann encourages men who voted for Kamala Harris to be vocal, wear blue and identify themselves so women know who the “safe men” are.
“If you know any man who voted blue, I am challenging you to post on this platform so we can see your faces and thank you. So that later we have on the record of who the safe men are,” said Mann in her original post.
After the original post was shared to TikTok, Talawanda parents quickly posted the video on Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter). As of Nov. 13, the Facebook post has over 14.9k views and 425 comments.
According to Holli Hansel, Talawanda’s communications director, the district has no comment at this time as the investigation is currently pending.
Talawanda’s parents have not been shy in their opinions. In the Facebook group Talawanda Outlying Area, anonymous users and parents have made a wide variety of comments. While some criticized or defended Mann’s post, some users took to threats and harassment.
According to a Talawanda parent who didn’t want his name used, Mann’s personal information, including her address, was released in a now-deleted comment on Facebook.
“Our son had Danielle as a teacher and loved her class. It was 17 years ago. I know her from other encounters and she has always been very kind and pleasant. I am, however, disappointed by her message,” one woman wrote on the Talawanda outlying areas Facebook group. “This stereotyping is unfair and promotes divisiveness that we do not need if we are to come together in our country.”
While criticism of Mann’s post overwhelms the comments on various social media platforms, students and parents share their positive experiences with Mann.
For one current Talawanda high school student, Andrew Martin, watching the negativity and hate of his favorite teacher has not been easy.
“Ms. Mann is a very passionate teacher. She definitely doesn’t push her opinions onto others. I always feel comfortable in her classroom knowing she respects everyone and everything when it comes to other people’s opinions,” said Martin. “She didn’t deserve any of this to happen. Personally I know teachers who do push their political opinions on students and Ms. Mann is the last teacher you should worry about doing such acts.”
Although the Talawanda district is not able to comment, the school board will meet at 7 p.m. Nov. 21 in the Performing Arts Center at the high school. Public participation is welcome at each board meeting.
