Virginia’s Chief Schools Superintendent Advises Leaders to Investigate Teachers for Kirk Comments

Citing “multiple reports of deeply troubling” comments made by teachers and school personnel concerning the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction Emily Anne Gullickson on Friday advised school districts to investigate educators making such comments and refer them to the Virginia Board of Education for licensure revocation.

Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction Emily Anne Gullickson. (Photo by Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury)

Social media comments concerning Kirk’s death have proliferated in Virginia, including remarks by school system workers in Accomack, Chesterfield, and Orange counties and the city of Newport News that have stoked controversy.

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On Sunday, Axios Richmond reported that Chesterfield County School Board member Dorothy Heffron announced she would resign at the end of her term on December 31, following her widely criticized social media post that drew condemnation from Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, who is also running for governor, and other leaders.

“Call me old fashioned, but I remember when we used to be okay with shooting Nazis,” Heffron wrote on Instagram. Her account has since been deleted.

“Parents entrust our educators with the care and development of their children, and they rightly expect teachers and school leaders to model the values of respect, civility, and responsibility,” said Gullickson in a statement. “Anyone who would suggest the heinous murder of the father of two young children is acceptable should be disqualified from teaching or working with children again.”

Heffron’s remarks struck a nerve among Republicans including Youngkin and. Earle-Sears, who claimed on Sept. 14 that Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger had not responded to the tragedy or social media remarks.

Spanberger shared a statement with Richmond TV news station WWBT on Sept. 12 condemning political violence.

“As the investigation continues and law enforcement continues to build their case, I think it’s important to state unequivocally: I condemn any efforts to justify or minimize the horrific murder of Charlie Kirk or anyone else,” Spanberger wrote.

The Virginia Education Association (VEA), the largest union for teachers and support specialists, questioned the superintendent’s response when, according to VEA President Carol Bauer, their members face harassment through various forms.

“This is a little bit of political overreach. I certainly agree that educators should model professionalism. We really cannot support a blanket condemnation that fails to distinguish between private personal expression and professional conduct,” Bauer said to 13News Now.

However, Bauer said the association “stands ready” to support its members “whose due process rights have been violated in this climate.”

In Virginia, multiple cases have arisen regarding remarks about the death of the 31-year-old, who was a husband and father of two young children.

One case involving an unnamed staff member at Newport News Public Schools was suspended after reportedly stating, “I hope he suffered through all of it,” in reference to Kirk.

A staff member of Accomack County Public Schools is also under investigation for a comment posted on social media, according to Superintendent Gennifer Miller. Republicans including Earle-Sears have also highlighted another Central Virginia teacher’s comments about Kirk.

Del. Mike Cherry, R-Colonial Heights, a member of the state House Education Committee, stated that the public deserves both answers and actions.

“Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, we’ve seen some very concerning language (I’m trying to be polite) from Chesterfield teachers and a member of the school board. “The behavior is not the way we should expect those entrusted with our children to act. The public deserves both answers and actions, and they deserve them fast,” Cherry said in a statement Monday.

Prior to his death, Kirk had been known for galvanizing young Republicans and bringing unity to the party, and his efforts through his Turning Point USA organization were widely credited with cementing President Donald Trump’s reelection.

Kirk was also often a polarizing figure, known for inflammatory remarks on race, gender and religion — including declaring the Civil Rights Act a “huge mistake” in 2023, calling prominent Black women political figures “affirmative action picks” who “do not have the brain processing power to otherwise be taken really seriously,” and saying “it’s worth it” to have “some gun deaths every single year” to protect Second Amendment gun rights.

Florida teachers have also been warned they will be investigated for derogatory social media posts regarding Kirk.

by Nathaniel Cline and Samantha Willis, Virginia Mercury

Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Virginia Mercury maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Samantha Willis for questions: info@virginiamercury.com.