Ruth Ingram and Dustin Barnes

The (Jackson, Miss.) Clarion-Ledger

Teacher Mary Porter showed her 10th-graders %27Dolan%27s Cadillac%2C%27 which they were to compare to an Edgar Allen Poe story

A parent%2C whose child is Asian%2C complained that the movie contained derogatory Chinese slurs

Students turned to social media to complain about Porter%27s absence and staged a brief protest during school

JACKSON, Miss. — A Richland High teacher is no longer employed because she violated school policy by showing a movie in her classroom without her principal's permission, district officials say.

Mary Porter, a 19-year classroom veteran, "is no longer employed by the district," said Rankin County School Board president Cecil McCrory. "The teacher violated policy."

Porter showed the R-rated movie "Dolan's Cadillac" starring Christian Slater, to her 10th-grade English students. The movie is adapted from a short story by the horror author Stephen King and contains violence and profanity. Porter reportedly showed them the movie for an assignment in which they were to compare the movie to an Edgar Allen Poe story.

"All movies, regardless of their rating or their relevance, have to be approved before they are shown," McCrory said. "It can be a religious movie, and it has to be approved by the school. This one was not approved."

There's an appeal process in which teachers can appeal disciplinary actions sanctioned by the school district, said McCrory. Teachers can appeal firings, though it's unclear whether Porter was terminated or resigned.

Rankin County school district Assistant Superintendent Richard Morrison said he'd have to double-check whether Porter was fired or resigned with Richland High Principal Richard Sutton, who was out of the office Tuesday.

"This kind of thing the board takes very, very seriously," McCrory said. When reached Tuesday by The Clarion-Ledger, Porter said she "can not comment at this time, but I will in the near future."

Multiple posts on Twitter and Instagram by Richland High students show a goodbye letter written on a class whiteboard, purportedly written by Porter to her classes. It reads, "Kids, I want you to know that you are never too old to make a mistake, and I made a big one by playing a movie with my 10th-graders. I will forever be sorry for my error in judgment. I want you to know I love each of you and wish you only the best."

Porter's absence from the classroom Tuesday elicited a huge outcry by students on social media, with many calling for a school walkout and taking to their phones during school hours to post their emotions and photographs taken at the school. A group of 30-40 students did walk out of the school shortly before noon, carrying signs and gathering for several minutes near the school's flagpole.

Morrison said students, teachers and staff are to be commended for how they handled the situation.

"There were some students who wanted to show support for the teacher. I hate to classify it as a walkout. It was in between classes," Morrison said. "The kids were hurting because they lost a teacher that they really respected, and the school acknowledged that."

There was no reason to discipline the students who protested, he said. "The teachers and principals let them have their moment, and then they went back into class," he said. "The kids cooperated. The staff said that they understood their feelings, but that they (the students) didn't have all the information."

Many adults and parents posting Facebook comments online in reaction to The Clarion-Ledger's story on the situation also weighed in their support, saying that if Porter indeed made a mistake, it didn't warrant her firing.

Parent Sammie Bateman told television station WJTV she complained to the school district. She said her daughter at the school is Asian, and that race issues in the film were not properly addressed. Bateman, who said she has three children at Richland High, said the movie contains derogatory Chinese slurs.

Students on Instagram said that they'd walk out at various times Tuesday, and one called for a protest after the first block of classes Wednesday. "We won't back down, no matter if the cops are called," student Victoria Alexis posted on Instagram, apparently from the school.

With the hashtag #bringmsporterback, a number of students defended the teacher, who also was Richland High's bowling and golf coach. "WORST mistake RHS has ever made," tweeted Allison Sonnenberg.

Another student posted on Tuesday morning a photograph of a male staff member standing in a school hallway. "Big man said no. #bringmsporterback," tweeted Levian Luu.

And student Colby Williams tweeted on the same day, "They are trying to take up phones so we stay off social media."

Around 11 a.m. Tuesday, Marshall Kranz tweeted, "We got cops in the school now. This has become really stupid."

Meanwhile, classmate Kari Jordan tweeted, "Sorry teachers but I'm keeping my phone. Don't get crazy."

"I had a teacher show us 'Braveheart' in school once, and I'm relatively well-adjusted. #bringmsporterback," tweeted Tim Murphy, in response to the social campaign helmed by RHS students on Tuesday.

And, Kranz tweeted, "One of the best, funnest teachers I have ever had. Probably the dumbest move this faculty has ever made! A great woman! #bringmsporterback."

A Facebook post from Porter on her personal page around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday addressed the ordeal. "This has been a most overwhelming day for me in many ways," Porter wrote. "As I trudge off to bed, I feel a lot of love floating around me! Thanks for all the comments and words of encouragement!"

According to the school district's employee directory, Porter had taught at Richland High for three years.

Bateman told the television station that the teacher tried to conceal the incident when she realized her mistake."My children reported that they were instructed not to tell. Don't talk about this movie in the hallway, and don't tell your parents," Bateman told WJTV.

McCrory said he had no knowledge of that and that a decision to relieve a teacher of his or her employment can be made by a principal in conjunction with the superintendent's office. Morrison also said he has received no reports that Porter told students not to tell.

"I can't say it will never happen again," McCrory said of the film's showing. "If they go by policy, it will never happen again."