Kentucky teacher resigns after social media blackface photo, ‘inappropriate’ comment

A Pike County teacher resigned Tuesday as the superintendent investigated a social media post made by an educator who appeared in blackface.

“I received the picture yesterday evening and confirmed it was a teacher with our school system,” said Pike Superintendent Reed Adkins.

The post included a photo of a woman appearing to stand at a bathroom vanity with a black substance on much of her face. The comment on the photo said, “Working on gettin that free health care. This should get me at least 50% coverage, right?!” The post was shared multiple times as people discussed it.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear recently pledged to make sure every black Kentuckian has health insurance.

Adkins would not identify the Belfry Middle School teacher. Because she is no longer an employee, Adkins terminated an investigation when she sent him her resignation Tuesday morning, he said.

“She no longer works for our school system,” he said.

“The Pike County school system won’t tolerate inappropriate behavior under any circumstances. The picture was a direct violation of our social media policy without question,” Reed said.

However, Adkins said he could not provide an exact reason for the teacher’s resignation.

This story was originally published June 30, 2020 at 12:14 PM.