Hillsborough art teacher fired after hanging doll in class

[Zorro]

The district has forwarded the case to the state for a review of the teacher’s certification.

The Hillsborough County school district has fired an art teacher at Barrington Middle School after a video was widely circulated showing her wrapping a cord around the neck of a Black baby doll and hanging it over a classroom television screen.

The video was shared by the parent of a student who said students present were “deeply offended and disturbed by this racist act.”

District superintendent Van Ayres called the display “inappropriate and highly offensive.”

District spokesperson Tanya Arja said after the district’s Office of Professional Standards concluded their investigation, the incident was reported to the state’s Department of Education’s Office of Professional Practice Services “for any action regarding her teaching certificate.”

https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2026/05/20/hillsborough-tampa-teacher-hanging-doll/

[dalton99a]

1. Her name is Karen Savage

Last edited Wed May 20, 2026, 07:49 PM - Edit history (1)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/florida-teacher-removed-classroom-allegedly-185011029.html

[Cha]

4. TY for that link, dalton. It gives

the information on why she did it, and how it unfolded.

[AZJonnie]

2. Watch her GoFundMe for "defending herself from persecution by the DEI police" will probably end up raising like $1M

And she won't have to work for the next decade-plus if she doesn't want to.

[Cha]

3. Wtf, Karen Savage! Why would she do that?

I just read why in the link that dalton provided. "She wanted to get their attention".

Karen got more than she bargained for.

TY

[IcyPeas]

5. Her profile says "God is good" (pictured in the linked article)

Why was there even a black baby doll in the classroom? Unless they were learning to draw babies.

She wanted their attention and THIS is where her mind went?

[Attilatheblond]

9. Look for her to defend herself by claiming it 'was art & art is supposed to be controversial in order to get attention'

Well Karen, you GOT attention and people noticed you lack common sense at the very least. Go flip burgers or pick up trash in the park rather than being around kids who are required to be in school.

[B.See]

6. in Trump's fascist America.

[JI7]

7. Nice to see that the students knew it was wrong

and were offended.

[Mossfern]

8. They shoud yank her certification

immediately. There is absolutely NO excuse for this.
She is way beyond "sensitivity training."