INDIANAPOLIS — Tony Kinnett is a science, technology, engineering and mathematics teacher at Indianapolis Public Schools.
Earlier this school year, he tweeted a video criticizing what he says is a lack of transparency over the teaching of critical race theory in IPS classrooms. He was put on administrative leave, and now, he says the IPS superintendent is recommending the school board fire him.
When Kinnett posted the video, he knew that it would ruffle some feathers.
“I was fully understanding that some of the people in my district wouldn’t like it. I knew that going in,” Kinnett told WISH-TV. “I wasn’t doing this for them. I wasn’t doing this for me so everyone could think I was some sort of special individual. I was doing it specifically so the parents and the community members and other education stakeholders of Indianapolis and the country abroad knew that Indianapolis Public Schools was being dishonest.”
In the video, he outlines how he believes the teachings and background of critical race theory parallel how he says IPS is teaching race in classrooms. “When we tell you critical race theory is not taught in our schools we are lying. Keep looking,” Kinnett said in the video. He even says the district has given teachers and principals a guideline on how to avoid answering CRT questions.
“I found it interesting that the district was telling parents we weren’t teaching it. I honestly thought that Indianapolis would come out and say, ‘We are teaching it and we stand behind it and here is why,’” Kinnett said.
Kinnett is waiting for the IPS School Board to act on his proposed dismissal. He won’t say if he will fight the district or just move on.
WISH-TV reached out to IPS, which says it does not comment on personnel matters. The district also says critical race theory is not taught at IPS.
