JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Duval county teacher has still not returned back to her classroom after being removed for making controversial comments on social media, including one post about a city council member.

According to the Duval County Public School district, Douglas Anderson teacher Hope McMath has been reassigned and is still currently under investigation.

Her removal has caused mixed reactions from the community.

McMath’s criticism of a city council member and Charlie Kirk on social media has drawn attention from the school district, the Florida department of education and activists on both sides of the issue.

On Tuesday, local teachers and community advocates plan on holding a rally before the school board meeting…demanding McMath be reinstated and calling for an end to what they call teacher repression.

A teacher at Douglas Anderson school of the arts has been temporarily removed from the classroom, following controversial comments she made on social media including posts about a city council member and political commentator, Charlie Kirk.

Hope McMath, an art history teacher and gallery manager, is now under investigation by Duval County Public Schools, according to the district.

In a Facebook post from September 10, McMath referred to city councilman Rory Diamond as the “grand wizard,” accusing him of using “racist dog whistles” and calling his actions “gross and dangerous.”

The posts came after a contentious city council meeting where Diamond introduced controversial amendments. 

The Florida Department of Education says it is reviewing the case, saying that “vile comments” from educators will be investigated and dealt with. 

Local teacher Monica Gold shares her views and opinions expressed are her own. 

“I think that Hope was very likely handpicked to send a message to all teachers that would dare to speak up that would dare to point out any injustices around them.” said Monica Gold.

Gold and community organizers are planning a rally before Tuesday’s school board meeting calling for McMath’s reinstatement and defending teachers’ right to free speech.

“I think it’s really scary to see our first amendment rights under attack and to see this targeted attack on teachers in particular because it’s hope but it’s also a lot of other teachers that are up against these same problems,” said Gold.

The conservative group Moms for Liberty Duval sent an email to the superintendent September 12, saying “indoctrination is totally unacceptable” calling McMath’s posts “radical” and “troubling” and said her influence on students should be examined.

A portion of the email to the Superintendent read: 

“McMath, like all teachers, needs to be reminded – these are our children, not yours.  Parents trust valued teachers to come alongside our children for a season to deliver state-approved educational content. taking leaps beyond that role violates their job description and professional standards.”

McMath’s attorney, John Phillips, calls the investigation a violation of her first amendment rights, warning that it could have a “chilling effect” on teachers statewide. 

DCPS has not released a timeline for the investigation or stated if further action will be taken.