Watch: Cheshire Teacher Viral Video Original Full

A special education teacher in Cheshire is on leave after a video she posted in a private Snapchat group was shared by the large TikTok account "Libs of TikTok" and went viral. In the video, teacher Annie Dunleavy made statements like, "Just because you are, doesn't mean you clearly are." She also warned, "Please don’t try to test your gangster on me because you’ll end up on a stretcher. Gone forever. So serious."

Dunleavy expressed concerns about the safety of marginalized groups in America, stating, “People of color, poor people, and gay people I care about are not going to be safe in America," and added, "Neither are you."

As of this writing, the video has garnered 2.4 million views, 7,000 comments, and 27,000 retweets. Calls for Dunleavy’s dismissal have flooded social media, though the school’s posts on X (formerly Twitter) are unrelated to this issue. According to Cheshire’s Superintendent Jeffrey Solan, the district has been “inundated” with messages, mostly from outside the district.

Superintendent Solan addressed the situation, explaining that someone had recorded Dunleavy’s private message, shared in her Snapchat group, where she expressed personal opinions not reflective of Cheshire Public Schools. Solan confirmed that the teacher was placed on leave during the investigation, explaining it was necessary to ensure the normal functioning of school operations.

Although no threats were received, police presence at the school was maintained out of "an abundance of caution." Similar incidents of politically charged social media posts have led to security threats at other schools.

State Senator Rob Sampson, whose district includes Cheshire, called the teacher's behavior "deeply concerning" and stated that such conduct should not be tolerated in any school system. He urged Cheshire Public Schools to act decisively to ensure all educators maintain the highest standards of professionalism and respect.

This isn't the first time Libs of TikTok has spotlighted a Connecticut school. Previously, the account posted a story about a tampon dispenser installed in a Brookfield boys' bathroom, leading to the dispenser being vandalized.

Superintendent Solan acknowledged the “charged” political climate and emphasized that respectful engagement and recognizing differing viewpoints are critical parts of civil engagement. He concluded by encouraging all, especially adults, to work toward lowering tensions for the well-being of all Americans, particularly students.