Teacher Returns To The Classroom After Suspension For Showing Photo Of Wife To Class

Stacy Bailey, an art teacher in Texas, was suspended last year shortly after showing her classroom a photo of her and her wife in matching Nemo and Dory Finding Nemo costumes during a “Get to Know Your Teacher” presentation. According to the lawsuit that Bailey filed against the Mansfield Independent School District, a parent complained to the school board and the superintendent that Bailey was promoting the “homosexual agenda.”

Bailey was placed on administrative leave in September 2017 and almost a year later, she is back in the classroom — although, this time, a much larger classroom. Bailey’s district has moved her from Charlotte Anderson Elementary to a high school — and from 20 to 40 students — according to NBC.

“She’s disappointed that she doesn’t get to return to Charlotte Anderson, and the learning curve to teach at the high school level is daunting, but Stacey loves teaching art to students and hopes to find it rewarding, even with the increased workload,” Jason C. N. Smith, Bailey’s attorney, said to NBC. Smith also mentioned that Bailey has no experience with anything other than elementary school level teaching.

According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Bailey’s wife, Julie Vasquez, has confirmed that the art teacher plans to use the same introductory presentation (with the Nemo pictures) at her new school, Lake Ridge High. It remains to be seen how the district will respond.