Teachers don’t surrender their First Amendment rights when they enter the classroom. That’s the lesson Jessica Tapia taught California’s Jurupa Unified School District in a recent court settlement. Recently on The Stand Radio, I talked with Jessica and her attorney, Bethany Onishenko of Advocates for Faith and Freedom.
Jessica's nightmare began when her students looked her up on social media where she openly shared her Christian worldview. When the students made their objections known to the school’s administration, the spiritual warfare was on. Jessica was placed on paid administrative leave and then subjected to investigations into her practices in the classroom.
Finally, school officials allowed her to resume teaching under strict conditions. They required her to use the student’s preferred pronouns, lie to any parents who asked questions about it, and allow transgender students access into the locker room she used as a physical education teacher. She was given the ultimatum to either follow these directives or be fired. Given this choice, she decided to stand firm in her convictions.
With the support of her attorney, Bethany Onishenko, Jessica took her case to court, arguing that the school district had violated Title VII, which requires employers to accommodate the religious beliefs of their employees.
The legal battle was intense, but Jessica's determination paid off. After nearly a year, she reached a settlement with the school district, receiving $360,000 in compensation. More importantly, her case sent a powerful message to teachers across the nation: it is always worth standing up for what is right. The success of Jessica's case has shown that standing up in the face of government overreach can lead to significant victories for religious freedom in all areas of society.
As she continues to support other teachers through the "Teachers Don't Lie" initiative, Jessica's journey reminds us that standing up for what is right is always worth it.
I encourage you to listen to The Stand Radio podcast of my interview with Jessica Tapia and Bethany Onishenko. Far beyond the details of her case and the implications for religious liberty, I was moved by the sincerity of her love for Jesus and the motivation it brought to see truth and justice prevail.
