Hartland Teacher Fired for Posing Children as Turkeys in Disturbing Thanksgiving Photo
Hartland Consolidated Schools in Livingston County has fired a teacher after a disturbing incident in which she posed a class of young children dressed as turkeys in front of an image of a hunter with a rifle and then sent the photo to colleagues with a message about which child to “pick off first.”
The district waited more than two weeks to notify parents about the Nov. 21 incident. In a letter sent to families on Monday, school administrators explained that they had treated the matter as a personnel issue and wanted to complete an internal investigation before providing details.
According to the district, the teacher displayed an image of a hunter holding a rifle on an interactive board behind the children for a Thanksgiving photo. After taking the picture, she sent it to colleagues with the caption, “which one should we pick off first,” a message that the administrators described as a “despicable and thoughtless” attempt at a joke.
The staff members who received the text immediately informed building administrators, prompting a swift investigation. The teacher, who has not been named, admitted responsibility and stated that she had intended the message as “a joke.”
In response, the district contacted the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office. The deputy who reviewed the photo and message initially stated that it did not appear to involve criminal activity. “At this time the incident is closed on our part, and any further actions will be up to law enforcement and the Livingston County Prosecutor’s office,” the letter noted.
The letter was signed by Superintendent Charles Hughes, Director of Early Learning Jessica Pasienza, and Director of Community Education Carol Hayes. They reassured parents, stating, “We are confident that no child was in danger at any time.”
Despite the school’s efforts to reassure families, the incident has raised significant concerns about the teacher’s judgment and the appropriateness of the photo. The district’s delayed notification and handling of the situation have also sparked further questions among parents.