A substitute teacher in DeSoto County, Mississippi, was terminated on her first day of work after she posted a viral TikTok video from inside a high school. The video included footage of students and a comment directed at a female student that school officials deemed inappropriate.
The incident occurred at Lake Cormorant High School on October 17. The substitute, Miata Borders, 24, was employed through the staffing agency Kelly Services. The video she created has since been viewed more than 2.2 million times, leading to swift action from the school district.
Key Takeaways
- A substitute teacher was fired after her first day for posting a TikTok video from school.
- The video included a comment, "Damn, shorty, sheesh," directed at a female student.
- DeSoto County Schools has permanently barred her from working in the district.
- The teacher, a self-described content creator, claimed she was unaware of rules against filming students.
- The incident adds to a series of recent controversies within the DeSoto County school system.
First Day Turns Into Last Day
Miata Borders documented her first assignment as a substitute teacher in a "day in the life" style video posted to her TikTok account. The video began with her stating, "Yeah, we got a new hustle in life, I’m a school teacher." It showed various scenes from her day, including sitting in an empty classroom with her feet on a desk.
The central controversy arose from a clip filmed during a school pep rally. As students, including cheerleaders and a band, paraded through the hallway, Borders focused her camera on them. She is heard saying, "Damn, shorty, sheesh," in reference to one of the female students, followed by laughter.
The video quickly gained traction online. Once school officials were made aware of the post, they contacted Kelly Services, the staffing company that had placed Borders at the school. Her assignment was immediately terminated.
The TikTok video at the center of the controversy has amassed over 2.2 million views, sparking widespread debate online about professionalism and student privacy in schools.
District Takes Decisive Action
DeSoto County Schools issued a statement confirming the substitute's removal. "District officials informed Kelly Services today that the person is no longer allowed to be a substitute teacher for DeSoto County Schools," the statement read. This decision effectively bans Borders from any future employment within the district's schools.
The rapid response highlights the growing concerns school districts face regarding social media use by staff and the protection of student privacy. Filming students without explicit consent, particularly for personal social media content, is a violation of policy in most school districts.
Content Creator Defends Actions
In a follow-up video, Borders addressed her termination and the public backlash. She identified herself as a "content creator" and explained that recording her daily activities was a normal part of her life.
"It’s honestly so sad how sick the world is that you guys automatically mischaracterize me fully without further context," Borders stated in her defense video. "I’m a content creator, I record everything that I do, so it was typical for me."
Borders claimed she was unaware of any school policy prohibiting the recording of students. "I had absolutely no idea I couldn’t record students, or else I definitely wouldn’t have done it," she said. She insisted her comment was not predatory and that she has "literally lost it all over one mistake."
She also alleged that school administrators were aware she was filming throughout the day. However, public reaction to her defense has been largely critical, with many social media users calling her actions unprofessional and an invasion of the students' privacy.
A Pattern of Controversy in DeSoto County
This incident is the latest in a series of employee-related controversies for DeSoto County Schools. Recently, parents organized a boycott to protest a school board member, Michelle Henley, who wrote a letter of support for a convicted sex offender. Henley has faced calls to resign but has refused.
In another case, a former special education teacher at Lewisburg High School, Natalia Elizabeth Wright, resigned after being arrested and charged with fondling by a person in a position of trust. These events have placed the district under increased public scrutiny.
The Broader Implications of Social Media in Schools
The firing of Miata Borders underscores a significant challenge for modern education: the intersection of personal social media use and professional responsibility. As more individuals build personal brands as "content creators," the boundary between private life and professional conduct can become blurred.
Educators are held to a high standard of conduct, and actions that compromise student safety or privacy are met with serious consequences. This case serves as a stark reminder for school employees about the potential career-ending repercussions of sharing classroom and school activities on public platforms without authorization.