Cobb County Teacher’s Firing Upheld by Superior Court Judge

A Cobb Superior Court judge has upheld the firing of Katie Rinderle, a former teacher at Due West Elementary School, who was dismissed for reading the book My Shadow is Purple to a group of fifth graders. The book discusses gender identity, with the protagonist explaining that their shadow is “purple,” symbolizing a non-binary view of gender.

Judge Kimberly Childs found that Rinderle violated two Cobb County School District policies by reading the book without seeking prior approval, as required for “sensitive content.” These policies include guidelines on the use of supplementary materials and teaching controversial topics. Rinderle’s actions were seen as violating the district’s expectations, and Childs upheld her termination, citing a tribunal’s conclusion that she had disobeyed instructions and was dishonest about her understanding of the controversy around gender identity.

The decision marks a significant moment in Georgia, with Rinderle believed to be the first teacher fired under the state’s “Divisive Concepts” law and “Parents Bill of Rights” law, both of which were enacted in 2022. Rinderle’s legal team from the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) disagrees with the ruling, arguing that the court ignored the tribunal’s findings and set a harmful precedent for teachers in Cobb County. The ruling has sparked ongoing debates over educators’ rights, with Rinderle’s legal team considering an appeal to the Georgia Court of Appeals.

Rinderle remains the lead plaintiff in a separate federal discrimination lawsuit against the school district, which is still ongoing.