"US Teacher Who Resigned After Showing David Statue with Major Body Parts Exposed During Class"

Photo Exhibition of 'David Statue' During Art Class
Some Parents Complain "Excessively Provocative"

A principal of an elementary school in the United States resigned after showing students a photo of Michelangelo's David statue during class, following complaints from some parents. The issue raised by the parents was the Michelangelo's David statue.

According to the BBC on the 25th, Hope Karaskiya, principal of Tallahassee Classical School, a charter public elementary school in Florida, showed a photo of Michelangelo's "David" statue to 6th-grade students during a "Renaissance Art" class on the 17th.

Michelangelo's masterpiece, the statue of David
Photo by Asia Economy DB

During the class, not only the David statue but also famous works such as Michelangelo's "The Creation of Adam" and Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus" were covered. However, after the class, several parents raised concerns. Principal Karaskiya was eventually given an ultimatum by the school board to either resign or be dismissed.

Some parents described the David statue shown during the class as "pornographic" and protested, saying, "Our children should not see such works." This was because the David statue is nude. The David statue, based on King David, was created by Michelangelo between 1501 and 1504. It holds great significance in Western art history and is considered a world-famous artwork.

The parents who raised the issue also pointed out that Karaskiya did not provide sufficient prior notice about showing the David statue. Regarding this, Karaskiya said, "When showing classical artworks like the David statue, parents are supposed to be informed in advance," adding, "However, the communication failed, the email was not properly delivered, and as a result, parents raised complaints."

In response, the school board stated, "Parents have the right to be informed at any time before their children learn about controversial topics and images," and criticized, "Failing to notify parents two weeks in advance about covering the David statue in class, as required by school policy, was a serious mistake."

As a result of this incident, Karaskiya resigned less than a year after taking the position. In a letter to the school board, she wrote, "It is sad that my time as principal of this school has come to an end."

Meanwhile, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who pursues strong conservative policies, announced on the 23rd that he would expand a bill banning sex education and teaching of gender identity in public schools. Teachers who violate the law may be suspended or lose their teaching credentials.