A Toronto elementary school teacher has been suspended after showing pupils in a Grade 5/6 class a video related to the fatal shooting of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk, prompting an internal investigation and support measures for children as young as 10 who were present. In a letter to parents, Corvette Junior Public School principal Jennifer Koptie wrote that students “were shown a portion of a violent video” during class and called the report “extremely troubling and completely unacceptable.” The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) confirmed the video referenced in the letter was connected to Kirk’s death.
The principal’s letter, issued on Friday, said the incident occurred in a combined Grade 5/6 class, an age band typically spanning 10 to 12 years old, and noted that the staff member involved was not the pupils’ regular classroom teacher but was supervising the group at the time. The TDSB said the employee has been temporarily relieved of duties while the investigation proceeds. Koptie told families that immediate steps were taken under board policy and that a social worker was made available to check in with students and provide support.
The school board did not release the staff member’s name, position or employment status beyond the temporary removal, citing personnel rules. In her communication, Koptie said the staff member “has been relieved of all teaching responsibilities” and “will not return to the school until the investigation is complete,” and added that the well-being of affected pupils would remain the school’s priority as the board gathered more information from the classroom and from families. The Canadian Press, which first reported the suspension, said the letter was circulated to parents on Friday and confirmed by the board.
Local television coverage showed parents arriving at the east-end Scarborough campus and voicing concern that elementary-age pupils had been exposed to violent footage. Global News reported that the video was “related to the deadly shooting” of Kirk and that the incident followed student questions about a “recent tragic event in the United States.” The broadcast said the teacher remained off duty pending the outcome of the inquiry.