School director pens letter recommending TN Spanish teacher be dismissed over political comments to students

What This Story Is About

• A Spanish teacher is accused of unprofessional behavior with students and parents regarding political conversations during class.

What Happens Next

• The Sumner County School Board will consider her full dismissal at a future hearing.

For Context

• Comments regarding politics or national news have led to several people losing their jobs or getting suspended across the country and in Tennessee.

Catch Up

• Florida biologist fired over Charlie Kirk post after his death wins $485,000 settlement

WHITE HOUSE, Tenn. (WSMV) – A Spanish teacher in Sumner County is facing dismissal for allegedly conducting “unprofessional” discussions with her students regarding immigration and race.

In a letter to the Sumner County Board of Education, Sumner County Schools Director Scott Langford is recommending that Stephanie Braswell, a tenured Spanish teacher at White House High School, be terminated for a series of incidents over the past six months.

Langford points to several incidents during the spring semester that require her dismissal:

January 2026

• Students complain about Braswell expressing her “political concerns” during class and creating an “uncomfortable” atmosphere for anyone who may disagree.
• Braswell discusses “ICE-related issues” with students during class and claims to be an “activist.”
• When news of her comments reached some parents, Braswell allegedly had “unprofessional interactions” with them, leading to more complaints to administrators.
• Braswell was suspended pending an investigation into her conduct.
• Additional concerns regarding classroom management arose during the investigation, including students “flipping desks,” and complaints of “disruptive behavior” being allowed and affecting other students.

April 2026

Braswell reportedly recorded students during testing without their knowledge or consent.

A student complained about a conversation that involved “racist remarks” by students while discussing “topics surrounding race” with Braswell. The student reported that Braswell failed to stop the conversation because it was the end of class.

Due to these incidents, Director Langford described her as “insubordinate” and “incapable of carrying out the duties and responsibilities of her position.”

The letter claims Braswell has violated the following SCS policies:

• Employee Use of Communication Device
• Controversial issues
• Failure to follow safety or security regulations put in place to protect Staff and Students
• Unauthorized use of Sumner County Schools telephones, equipment or facilities
• Engaging in Insubordination

Langford’s letter recommending her dismissal can be read in full here:

Braswell has been a part of the Sumner County school system since 2009, when she was hired as a substitute teacher at Hendersonville High School, and later became a full-time teacher in 2013. She gained tenure in 2019, and in May 2022, she was reassigned to White House High School, according to Langford.