Kids in a classroom. Apparently, a lot of them know the answer! (Photo: Shutterstock/Syda Productions)
Clark County School Teacher Launches Anti-Trump Tirade In 6th Grade Classroom
ELA teacher Courtney Lichtenwalner is recorded by one of her 11 year-old students using a district-issued laptop
By Megan Barth, November 7, 2024 3:44 pm
A video taken by an 11 year-old student inside of a sixth grade classroom at Lied STEM Academy in Clark County, reveals an English Language Arts teacher launching into an anti-Trump tirade in front of her students. The video was taken by her student using a district-issued laptop on November 4th, the eve of Election Day.
The teacher, Ms. Courtney Lichtenwalner decides to use valuable class time challenging her students to fact-check President Donald Trump’s “trickle-down” tax policies and economic policies by using Google and the White House website. She demands that the students understand that Fox News is a biased source. When one of the students claims that her mom is a source, Lichtenwalner says, “I would never lie to you. I would never not give you facts,” tacitly implying that this child’s mother would lie to them or not give them facts.
Lichtenwalner then falsely claims that President Trump called for the assassination of Liz Cheney because “she doesn’t agree with him”: “[Trump] also said there should be seven barrels of a gun shot at Liz Cheney, a republican senator, because she doesn’t agree with him.” She then mentions abortion, claiming that Trump said that “Kamala wants to kill babies.” Then, without knowing all the details of a tragic story involving a pregnant Texas woman suffering a miscarriage, Lichtenwalner implies that Trump’s policies are to blame for her untimely and unfortunate death related to sepsis. She then rambles on about transgender prisoners receiving surgery.
She also gives “two thumbs up” to former President Barack Obama and President Joe Biden’s economic policies and notes that Trump was riding in on Obama’s coattails and mentions the increased national debt under Trump. She conveniently leaves out the massive government spending under Biden-Harris that caused inflation and the increase in the national debt. Did Ms. Lichtenwalner mention quantitative easing, the Federal Reserve, inflationary policies, or offer the revised reports by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics to fact-check herself? No. She didn’t. Does Ms. Lichtenwalner have a degree in economics? No, she doesn’t.
When one student mentions immigration, Lichtenwalner asks, “how does immigration affect you?” Asking a sixth grader this question is absurd.
In fact, this entire rant in front of children in a classroom is absurd and concerning, as is her social media post from 2023, posted on the first day of Pride month. The meme she posts wishes that “Homophobes have a super uncomfortable month.”
The father, Marty Enz, contacted the school the next morning on November 5, and left a message for a counselor. He has not received a returned phone call. Mr. Enz released the following statement to The Globe:
Why is a teacher so concerned with an 11 year-old’s politics and beliefs? They’re 6th graders. They should be learning how to read and write properly, not be berated and taunted by adults. She’s trying to call the children out so that they will turn on each other and look like enemies in each other’s eyes. This is a LEARNED behavior. Teachers are teaching this nonsense and it has to stop.
As a parent, our only real choice with our children at this age is to send them to school. We have strangers “teach” them how the world works. We’re basically forced to subject them to whatever the teacher wants to do behind closed doors. She did this, she’s an adult and she knew what she was doing. I’m very proud of my daughter finding a way to prove what is happening in this classroom. She realized this conversation was inappropriate and I agree with my daughter 100 percent.
I called the school on election day which was the day after this happened. I asked to speak to someone concerning my daughter and her teacher. I got sent to the 6th grade counselors voicemail and there’s been a full school day since then. Nobody called me back. Nobody is concerned about my daughter’s well being. They’ll get to it, eventually.
We are fortunate that CCSD gave my daughter a laptop with a camera so we could all see teachers trying to program our children instead of teach them.
The Globe has emailed Ms. Lichtenwalner and principal Mr. Thorson the video and a request for comment. At the time of publishing, we had not received their replies. We will update this story as it develops.
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God awful reporting. megan has her own axe to grind and can’t help but insert her narrative throughout her writing. shameful.
It’s called an editorial perspective, but not a similar perspective to the Las Vegas Sun, which you may indulge in. Thanks for reading, though! Thousands of others disagree with you, including her parents and their child.
Should be fired
dum.leftist.tescher..whos..brainwashed…n..a……liar..
Wow, tough crowd who apparently believe the teacher’s blatant “misinformation, disinformation”. Please, write on, Megan! Katy at California Globe shared a Nevada Globe article of yours. I’m a Californian who’ll be moving to Nevada next year, so, again I say “WRITE ON!”
Katy Grimes is a national treasure. Thanks for the support!
Absolutely should be fired! This teacher is a progressive liberal activist indoctrinating these children who are a captive audience. Not to mention this is an adult bullying and ridiculing these children expressing their opinions. The children are being subjected to this woman lauding her opinions over them. All the while they are being very respectful as I’m sure they are told to respect their elders. Furthermore she’s in a position of authority over them and has the power to discipline and affect their grade. This is wrong on so many levels!
Agreed. Sounds like this teacher is just trying to get kids to think critically. The only one who seems to have an agenda to push is this truth warping reporter. Garbage journalism.
Sorry, but the facts speak for themselves. This person should not be allowed anywhere near children. Excellent reporting, in my humble opinion.
sorry..if.i.used.the.word.dum..but.shes.a.liar…bye
Teacher was right
She’s evil .She’s a disgusting teacher
She’s supposed to be a teacher not an activist. She needs to be fired and find a job in politics. You don’t have conversations like these with students. This is not her job she’s not even a civics teacher.
First of all, I know her. She is much nicer than you would think. By the way, another student started the conversation, which shouldn’t have been discussed in the first place. Second of all, she apologized for continuing the talk in the end and said that she shouldn’t have responded to the election-related question. It was the students fault for bringing up the election in the first place, and asking for the teachers opinion.
she claims these are facts ? but she has lied not facts she should be fired she does not have the right to bring her personal views to the class room.
Yes, blame the 11 year old
Absolutely should be fired! This teacher is a progressive liberal activist indoctrinating these children who are a captive audience. Not to mention this is an adult bullying and ridiculing these children expressing their opinions. The children are being subjected to this woman lauding her opinions over them. All the while they are being very respectful as I’m sure they are told to respect their elders. Furthermore she’s in a position of authority over them and has the power to discipline and affect their grade. This is wrong on so many levels!
This is the kind of activist that has pumping our kids full of crap for 30+ years. School choice will put these indoctrination centers in the trash bin of history and all these indoctrinitors can go get a real job and replaced by real teachers.
Is there audio of pro Trump teacher berating students? Can I hear it please?
why doesn’t anyone ever give the city and state so we can email them too?
where the hell is Clark County?
In Nevada. We are the Nevada Globe and cover all policy and news related to Nevada.
Those who cannot do; teach. Never more true. She certainly looks the part of a bariatric, gay, feminist, misanthropist. I would not want her anywhere near my children and most people agree with me. If for no reason other than she is full of hatred. In the pride month graphic she posted with all the hearts and pretend love she uses as a shield; the words express hate for people different from her. She needs to be fired instantly and her meds increased by 100mg.
What can we do to help? Let’s spread this story to national news and pressure the school board to fire this teacher. This is outrageous!
share it on social media. send it to other news organizations.
What are the ethical considerations for teachers when discussing political figures or controversial topics in the classroom, especially with young students?