When Teachers Celebrate Violence, Our Children Pay The Price
In recent days, Clark County School District (CCSD) families have been shocked to learn that licensed educators publicly celebrated the violent assassination of Charlie Kirk. Screenshots circulating online show a social studies teacher at Cimarron-Memorial High School writing that he could not think of anyone more “deserving” of a gunshot wound to the neck.
This is not a matter of politics. It is a matter of public trust, of student safety, and of the values our educators are expected to model in and out of the classroom. Parents send their children to CCSD with the reasonable expectation that teachers will provide both instruction and an example of kindness, respect, and civility.
Violence and Free Speech: Where Do We Draw the Line?
At Power2Parent, we are strong defenders of free speech. Our organization created a short video to explain why protecting diverse viewpoints—even those we disagree with—is critical to a free society. But free speech has limits. When an educator publicly glorifies violence, especially the assassination of a political figure, it crosses into misconduct and erodes the safe environment required for learning.
Educators hold a position of trust and authority. Their words—whether in the classroom or on personal social media—carry weight. When they normalize violence, they don’t just fail to live up to the standard of the profession; they endanger the culture of safety that students need to thrive.
Teaching Our Kids What Free Speech Really Means
This moment also gives parents an opportunity to talk with our children about what free speech actually is. Free speech means we are free to hold and share opinions, even when others disagree. It protects ideas, debates, and differences. But it does not protect threats, violence, or calls for someone to be harmed.
We encourage you to sit down with your children and watch our Free Speech Explained video together. Use it to start a conversation:
Why is it important that people can express different ideas?
How do we handle it when we strongly disagree with someone?
Where is the line between free expression and harmful speech?
By teaching our kids the value of free speech—and its limits—we equip them to be responsible citizens who can debate with civility, respect differences, and reject violence.
👉 Watch our Free Speech Video Here!
Our Letter to Superintendent Jhone Ebert
On September 15, 2025, our Board of Directors sent a formal letter to CCSD Superintendent Jhone Ebert, calling for immediate action:
Letter to Superintendent Ebert
In that letter, we affirmed her own words that CCSD must “model the kind of values we hope students will carry forward—kindness, understanding, and respect.”
We also cited Nevada law (NRS 391.750), CCSD regulations, and the Clark County Education Association’s contract—all of which allow dismissal for immorality, gross misconduct, or evident unfitness. Union protections do not shield educators from termination when their actions constitute serious misconduct.
Our requests were clear:
Immediate investigation of any educator who has celebrated the assassination of a political figure.
Removal from the classroom during investigation, especially from special education settings where students are most vulnerable.
Termination where evidence confirms misconduct, under Nevada law and district regulations.
Transparent communication with parents about the steps being taken.
Partnerships with parent and community organizations, including Power2Parent, to provide professional development on responsible public discourse.
Anything less than decisive action erodes parent trust and undermines the district’s mission of preparing students for a successful future.
Parents Deserve Action, Not Excuses
While the district has acknowledged the problem and reassigned some educators away from classrooms, reassignment is not accountability. A temporary leave is not enough. CCSD must set an example for students by holding adults to the same standard of respect and nonviolence that we expect in our children.
If a student made these same comments, discipline would be swift. Parents should expect no less from those tasked with teaching our kids.
What Parents Can Do
This is a moment for parents to come together and speak with one voice. The most effective way to bring about change is to engage directly and respectfully with school leaders. Here are the steps we encourage parents to take:
Start with your school principal. Your child’s principal is the first line of accountability and has direct responsibility for the safety and culture on campus. Request a meeting or send a written message expressing your concerns about educators who glorify violence and ask how your school is ensuring that students are safe and surrounded by role models who model respect.
Reach out to the superintendent. Share your concerns with Superintendent Jhone Ebert, emphasizing the importance of swift accountability and transparent communication about the steps CCSD is taking to maintain safe learning environments.
Contact your trustee. Each CCSD parent has an elected school board trustee. Trustees represent your family and need to hear directly from you. Urge them to support policies and actions that ensure educators uphold the highest professional standards.
Talk to other parents. Share accurate information and encourage respectful engagement. When parents unite around the values of kindness, safety, and responsibility, our collective voice is harder to ignore.
Stay engaged with community organizations. Partner with groups like Power2Parent who are actively monitoring district policy, advocating for families, and offering avenues for parents to participate in meaningful change.
By following these steps, parents can send a clear message: our children deserve safe schools and role models who reject violence and embody the values of respect and responsibility.
Conclusion
Our children are watching. They see what adults say and do, and they learn from the examples set before them. Teachers who glorify violence cannot credibly teach kindness, respect, or civic responsibility.
We urge CCSD leadership to act decisively—not just to protect today’s students, but to send a clear message about the kind of community we want to be. Parents are ready to partner, but we also expect accountability.
Empowered parents protect kids.
