A small Texas town has backed a teacher who was criticized for having her students recite a Bible verse daily.
First-grade teacher, Susan Schobel, of Smithville, came under fire earlier this month after a video of her students reading a verse from a passage in the New Testament book of Romans, was shared on social media.
In the now-deleted video, the Brown Primary School children are gathered in a circle in their classroom and can be heard saying: 'Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good.'
Shortly after Schobel's video was shared on Facebook, several supporters shared their thoughts on the post.
A small Texas town has backed first-grade teacher, Susan Schobel (center, in white), who came under fire earlier this month for having her students recite a Bible verse
Schobel, of Smithville, came under fire earlier this month after a video of her students (pictured) reading a verse from a passage in the New Testament book of Romans, was shared on social media
Shortly after Schobel's video was shared on Facebook, several supporters shared their thoughts on the post (pictured)
One of those supporters, Dane Garrison, started the hashtag #IStandwithSusan on Facebook that was accompanied by a t-shirt (pictured) that was created to raise funds for the Smithville Born Again Emporium
'I've been wanting to do this my whole teaching career, but thought I couldn't You are amazing!' one supporter wrote.
Another said: 'As a parent I love it! I got your back!'
In response to her supporters, Schobel said in a now-deleted post: 'If I get fired teaching my children about Jesus then I'm getting fired for a great reason!'
One of those supporters, Dane Garrison, started the hashtag #IStandwithSusan on Facebook that was accompanied by his support for Schobel.
'I believe everyone has a right to stand up for what they believe in. So do I.. #istandwithsusan I believe in love and kindness being taught in our classrooms,' Garrison wrote.
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'She has touched and enriched the lives of so many children over the years,' Garrison added.
Garrison's Facebook post was also accompanied by black t-shirts with the hashtag on the front and the Romans verse, 12:9-10, on the back.
'Any and all proceeds will be given to the Smithville Born Again Emporium. These people spread the love of God each week in our community!' Garrison said of the shirts.
One parent told Fox 7 that he doesn't have anything against religion, but he doesn't believe it belongs in the classroom.
One parent said he doesn't have anything against religion, but it doesn't belong in the classroom. 'I actually love Jesus. I love his teachings, his practices, and it's been a big impact in my life, but I don't believe that belongs in the public school system,' Charlie Lucko (above) said
Superintendent Cheryl Burns said in a statement that the district welcomes 'the diversity of thought, worship, ideas and speech in our community'. Pictured is Brown Primary School
And according to religion experts, the teacher violated a 1963 Supreme Court ruling. Bible (file image) readings and prayer in public schools became unconstitutional following the Abington School District vs. Schempp ruling
'I actually love Jesus. I love his teachings, his practices, and it's been a big impact in my life, but I don't believe that belongs in the public school system,' parent Charlie Lucko said.
And according to religion experts, the teacher violated a 1963 Supreme Court ruling.
Bible readings and prayer in public schools became unconstitutional following the Abington School District vs. Schempp ruling.
Superintendent Cheryl Burns said in a statement that the district welcomes 'the diversity of thought, worship, ideas and speech in our community'.
'We support the right of students to express themselves. We support our employees' free speech and free exercise rights as well, while being mindful of their on-duty responsibilities.'