Upstate NY teacher removed after she helped students start a TPUSA club at school

A high school teacher in upstate New York has been removed from the classroom after she agreed to help students start a Turning Point USA chapter.

Jennifer Fasulo, who teaches Spanish at Charles W. Baker High School in Baldwinsville, near Syracuse, New York, was placed on paid administrative leave Jan. 30. Those who support her supporters say the decision came soon after she volunteered to serve as faculty advisor for a new chapter of Turning Point USA’s high school initiative, known as Club America, per the New York Post.

School officials acknowledged the leave but did not elaborate on the situation in a letter sent to parents. “The district can confirm that a staff member has been placed on paid administrative leave while a matter is under review. We are following established administrative and legal procedures, and we are unable to comment further or share additional details at this time,” the Baldwinsville Central School District said.

Students quickly mobilized in support of Fasulo, launching a petition and speaking publicly in her defense. Many described her as an exceptional teacher and mentor. “We believe no educator should be punished for their personal beliefs,” the petition reads, which has gotten more than 2,100 signatures.

Club America student leader Jerry Dygert stated, “This teacher is being targeted not because of her performance, but for her political beliefs.” He added in a Feb 9 school board meeting, “Our club exists to promote political understanding through civil discourse, removing the one teacher who best embodies those values puts that mission in serious jeopardy.”

Another student expressed frustration over her absence. “My classmates and I are confused as to why she is not in class,” the student said. “She extends her title as teacher and is considered a mentor. The wisdom and compassion that she gives to her students is unmatched.”

Some students’ woke parents, however, said they wanted to see the teacher gone, and called Turning Point “terrifying.” One wrote on Facebook that “the extremist mindset tends to affect boys and young men the most.” Another parent argued, “Organized hate groups have no place in our public schools. Would you want a KKK chapter, a neo nazi bund?”

Republican state Senate candidate Caleb Slater defended Fasulo, saying, “These are students who asked for this organization to be founded, not parents or teachers.”

A separate report from Syracuse.com suggested the investigation may stem from a different issue involving Fasulo’s alleged conversation with a student about sexual orientation during her involvement with a Christian youth group, Youth Alive. However, the report has not been substantiated.