Indiana teacher resigns in disgrace over 'dangerous' t-shirt she wore to White House on class trip
Tonja Luken posted a now deleted Facebook photo of her and a colleague smiling in front of the Washington DC landmark while on a trip with Middlebury Community Schools.
At first glance, the photo is seemingly innocent. However, eagle-eyed social media stalkers noticed the number '8647' printed on Luken's flowery blue t-shirt.
To '86' something means to eject, stop or kill it. The term originated in the restaurant scene of New York in the 1930s, according to The Independent.
In this context, many people believe the number '47' refers to the United States' 47th president, Trump.
The number '8647' is being used on social media by far left leaning individuals who are unhappy with the country's current administration. Protestors also carried signs reading '8645' during Trump's previous term.
Most recently, Former FBI Chief James Comey found himself in hot water after posting a photo on Instagram of seashells arranged in the numerical code. Comey was then reprimanded by conservatives and the Secret Service.
Luken was placed under an investigation by the school district following the June 4 stunt, but resigned in disgrace before its conclusion.
In a statement, Middlebury Community Schools publicly condemned Luken's decision to openly express her political affiliation at a school event
Luken (pictured) was placed under an investigation by the school district following the June 4 stunt, but resigned in disgrace before its conclusion
In a statement, Middlebury Community Schools publicly condemned Luken's decision to openly express her political affiliation at a school event.
'Middlebury Community Schools owns policies that require teachers to refrain from using their position to promote partisan political views.
'This prohibition applies to all teachers regardless of their political leanings, and to every political message regardless of its content,' they wrote.
'Earlier this week, Middlebury Community Schools' administration learned of a social media post made by a teacher while serving as a chaperone on a student trip to our nation's capital, Washington, D.C. In the posted photograph, the teacher is wearing a T-shirt possessing a partisan political message while supervising students.'
'School administrators are actively investigating the situation.
'The student trip only returned to Middlebury on Wednesday, June 4, which unfortunately slowed the investigation process.'
But just a day later, the district announced Luken's departure.
'Earlier today, Middlebury Community Schools completed its investigation into circumstances surrounding a teacher's social media post.
'After the conclusion of the school corporation's interview, when informed the school corporation would be commencing the cancellation of her contract, the teacher submitted her immediate resignation,' they said.
'The teacher is no longer employed by the school corporation'
Luken, who is a married mother of five, has since archived all public social media profiles and has made no public statement about the incident or her exit.
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