Students unbraiding their hair went viral, a black teacher was fired

A science instructor is said to have lost his job after going popular on TikTok with a video showing one of his female students unbraiding his hair.

TikTok user @thilluminatin1, also known as JaQ Lee on social media, posted a video of some females undoing his braids and detangling his hair in a classroom that quickly went viral. Lee mentioned that he had a post-school appointment.

@thilluminatin1 Students don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Teaching is a work of heart. Comment your thoughts #teacher#teachersoftiktok#teacherproblems#millenialsoftiktok#middleschool♬ Chopin Nocturne No.2 Op.9-2(1391533) – 314P

“I requested approximately four or five of my over one hundred best friends to help me take out my hair since I didn’t have time to do it all by myself and they all consented,” Lee added.

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People on social media disagreed on whether the instructor should have let his pupils unbraid his hair.

“Social worker, you are operating inside all proper bounds! The students are willing participants, and you are not alone with just one student. You are in the open. There’s a lot of enthusiasm,” wrote one TikTok user.

Another individual remarked, “As a mother, I would have been angry!!!!”

A third said, “People be looking for difficulties with benign circumstances.”

“Not at all. No, Mr. from an official at the school. Yes, after school, continue to develop the relationship. It feels too intimate,” another commenter said.

“Those who remark, “Oh this is odd, this is improper,” wouldn’t be in the comments if I were a female instructor. Personally, I don’t find this to be that strange. It’s being said that it’s too personal. It’s literally just hair to me. It need not be strange. It’s evident that some people have never had great professors,” Lee said.

Lee posted a TikTok video last week that hinted to his firing. The instructor perused missives from his pupils, expressing their longing for him.

“This is not what you deserve. 🥺 More teachers that actually care about their pupils are needed, just like you. Regarding the alleged termination, one TikTok user commented, “This is very heartbreaking.”

As educators, we’ve all had experiences that serve as a constant reminder of the value of limits. Make the most of this opportunity to advance your career as a teacher. I wish you the best of luck,” commented another.

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