Dupage Policy Journal

A third-grade teacher is back on the job in Glen Ellyn following an investigation into the LGBTQ and Black Lives Matter material she stocks in her classroom and shares with her students.

Lauren Crowe was pulled from her classroom and placed on administrative leave in September after parents in the district protested.

In the wake of her return to the classroom, District 41 School Board President Robert Bruno has tried to keep things calm.

“First of all, the investigation was very cooperative, deliberative, and comprehensive,” Bruno said at a recent school board meeting. “Many of the public accusations based on the evidence were highly inaccurate. We are pleased that the district has resolved this matter, and the board remains supportive of the process utilized and the outcome. Our commitment to the safety of our employees and our students is unwavering.”

While many expressed concern over Crowe’s behavior, she also had plenty of support, including Equality Illinois releasing a statement indicating they are “deeply troubled” the investigation even got off the ground.

In a statement, Equality Illinois CEO Brian C. Johnson said “as a former first grade teacher, I recognize when an educator is striving to support all their students, including LGBTQ students and students of color. From what we have seen on these videos, she is fulfilling the finest values of the profession and of the state of Illinois: equality, inclusion, and the freedom to be who you are without burden or discrimination.”

Much of Crowe’s approach became public knowledge after she posted videos affirming content and education resources to her TikTok page.  

During her time away from the classroom, a fundraiser was held for Crowe where organizers sold T-shirts reading “Glen Ellyn is for EVERYONE,” with EVERYONE in rainbow colors. It closed having raised over $2,000, with 214 shirts sold.

During the recent board meeting, one woman who described herself as a “lifelong resident of Glen Ellyn” took the floor to express her support for “inclusivity and diversity in the classroom.”

She later added, “I also say this because I am transgender. And not too long ago, I was a transgender child. And I would guess that there are a lot of you here who have never even really met a trans person before, or at least not a trans person that’s open about their identity, but we are here. We’re part of your community. And I met many trans kids while I was at Glenbard West [High School], and I’m sure that there are many throughout all of our districts, in Glen Ellyn and the wider community. Children are going to continue to be trans and queer, and our community is going to continue growing in racial and ethnic diversity. These are facts.”