Florida Teacher Investigated for Screening ‘Strange World’ With LGBTQ Character

A Florida teacher, Jenna Barbee, finds herself under investigation by the state’s Department of Education following an incident where she screened the Disney animated movie ‘Strange World’ in her classroom. Her situation gained significant attention after she took to TikTok to share her story with a video that went viral.

Barbee, who is in her first year of teaching at Hernando County’s Winding Waters K-8 school, explained in her video that her intention was to give her students a ‘brain break’ after a morning of strenuous standardized testing. Importantly, she had secured parental consent to show PG-rated films with no content-related objections. However, among her students that afternoon was the daughter of a school board member, who subsequently reported Barbee for her choice of film.

She elaborated on her decision to show ‘Strange World,’ highlighting its alignment with the curriculum on Earth science and ecosystems. She emphasized how the movie could effectively convey lessons about embracing diversity, practicing kindness, improving communication, and pursuing one’s dreams. Notably, ‘Strange World,’ released in 2022, features a family of explorers and introduces an LGBTQ+ character, Ethan Clade, voiced by Jaboukie Young-White, marking the first-ever openly gay character in a Disney film.

Barbee has firmly asserted that the presence of an LGBTQ+ character in the film was not her primary reason for selecting it. She emphasized her inclusive approach, noting that she had already encountered fifth-grade students who identified with the LGBTQ+ community before showing the movie. To her, it was a non-issue, and her teaching philosophy is centered on acceptance rather than promotion.

She further defended her choice by characterizing the LGBTQ+ aspect in the film as ‘harmless,’ describing it as nothing more than ‘a talked-about crush.’ In contrast, she pointed out that aspects like the parents in the movie kissing frequently went unnoticed. According to Barbee, her students were not concerned about the LGBTQ+ representation until it was escalated by the school board member and the state, which, she believes, has been more traumatic for the students due to investigations and interrogations.

The controversy surrounding Barbee’s decision to screen ‘Strange World’ has ignited a broader debate about the role of teachers in shaping classroom content and addressing sensitive topics. Some argue that educators should maintain a neutral stance and refrain from imposing their beliefs, whether related to religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity, on students. Others contend that certain films or materials can serve as valuable conversation starters, facilitating discussions on important social issues in a controlled and educational context. As the investigation unfolds, it highlights the complex challenges educators face when navigating these issues in modern classrooms.

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