West Chicago teacher resigns following backlash over social media post supporting ICE

An elementary school teacher in suburban West Chicago has resigned after being placed on leave for allegedly sharing a social media post apparently supporting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The West Chicago Elementary School District 33 board announced Thursday during a school board meeting that it had accepted the voluntary resignation of a Gary Elementary School teacher.

“We know that recent events have caused concern, frustration, disruption and division among families and community members,” school board president Rita Balgeman said at the meeting. “We hear those concerns, and we take them seriously.”

The teacher, who could not be reached for comment, is accused of posting “Go ICE!” in response to a social media post, prompting backlash from parents, students and community members.

The school district “learned of concerns regarding a disruptive social media comment made by a district employee on his personal account,” Supt. Kristina Davis said in a statement on Jan. 22. Before an investigation could begin, the teacher submitted a written resignation but withdrew it later that day before the school board could act on it.

After meeting with the district administration, he was put on paid administrative leave pending an investigation.

The teacher submitted a written resignation Thursday. Later that day, the board voted to accept it.

“We believe this action is the most appropriate next step for our school community,” Balgeman said.

Balgeman said “it was never about politics,” instead she said “schools have experienced significant disruption” because of the teacher’s social media comment.

“We now look forward to restoring focus, stability and safe conditions for teaching and learning across the district,” she said.

Several community members spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting, offering differing views on the teacher’s resignation. Some raised concerns about student safety, while others expressed disappointment over the teacher’s departure.

“This is a diverse community that includes many immigrant and mixed status families,” Nestor Ruiz, interim chief of staff for Sen. Karina Villa, said on her behalf. “For many of them, Immigration and Customs Enforcement is not a political concept or abstract issue. It represents lived experiences of fear, trauma and family separation. Schools must be places where every student feels safe, respected and supported.”

Ana Galvan said her three children, who were taught by the teacher, were “sad” to hear he had resigned.

“They never had a complaint about his teaching,” she said. "They’ve always had positive things to say about him. We are a forgiving community, we are a welcoming community, but to let one of our own feel like he didn’t have a choice but to leave is sad to see.”