Teacher Writes on Whiteboard 'You Can't Be a Democrat and Go To Heaven'

November 24th, 2012 9:47 AM

A Kentucky high school teacher was reprimanded by her school district this week for writing on her whiteboard "You can't be a Democrat + go to heaven."

Kendra Baker has been teaching high school for seventeen years.

After Election Day, she overheard one of her students at South Laurel County High School utter those words, and decided to put it on the whiteboard for all to see.

One student in attendance took a picture of it and gave it to the Board of Education as well as the Sentinel-Echo.

After some investigation, the Board determined Baker had violated district policy No. 8.1353 which states that teachers must create an atmosphere in the classroom that's conducive to learning, mutual respect, and trust.

The code also specifies that teachers are responsible for developing positive self-concepts and self-confidence so that students respect the worth and dignity of others.

The school reprimanded Baker by requiring she apologize to her students.

Unfortunately, the incident resulted in one student leaving the school.

Lexington's NBC TV affiliate reported Monday that Chelsea Gilbert was ridiculed when she tried to stick up for others in her class.

Her mother told Lex 18, "You don't send them to school to have someone else's opinion shoved down their throat and demand they agree with it. It's appalling. It's wrong,"

Gilbert will now be home-schooled as a result.