GoFundMe Page Raises Nearly $25,000 for Kansas Teacher Fined $1000 for Quitting Due to CRT and Mask Mandates

Denise Roberts is the organizer of a GoFundMe account for Josiah Enyart. Enyart was a Kansas elementary school teacher who quit after he was allegedly unhappy with Critical Race Theory and mask mandates. That should have been where the story ended and it is sad and tragic enough that someone felt they had to do that.

But that wasn’t where it ended, the school actually tried to fine him $1000, simply for quitting his job, based on some sort of contract he had apparently agreed to. Fox News interviewed Enyart in the video below recently:

Fox News reported in part on the original story:

A Kansas elementary school teacher resigned from his job following a mask requirement for unvaccinated teachers, coupled with its recent critical race theory push, and was subsequently fined by the district. 

“That was my final straw,” Josiah Enyart said, referring to the Shawnee Mission School District sending an email renewing its mask mandate for all students and unvaccinated teachers on July 25.

When the 6th grade math teacher resigned from Comanche Elementary School in Overland Park, however, the district told him he’d have to pay a $1,000  “liquidation penalty” for resigning after a specific deadline in his contract. 

WATCH:

Well, it looks like many had empathy for the teacher and he has now raised almost $25,000 to pay for the $1000 fine on GoFundMe. While that doesn’t solve the issues of CRT and overbearing government, it shows that many out there feel the same way he feels and wanted to help.

It’s comforting for those supporting Enyart to know that he will be ok financially, at least for the short term, while he decides what to do next in his life.

You can see a screenshot below that is linked to the GoFundMe page, and below that we copied and pasted the information on the site given by the organizer.

UPDATE:  I am completely blown away by the amount of support.  Financial support for Josiah’s decision and his plan for the future is amazing, but the words of encouragement and personal stories have been unbelievable.  I saw Josiah this morning, and he’s really just trying to get his feet underneath him – this has been a bit of a whirlwind for their family.  I think Josiah was just doing what he does, doing the right thing, and I don’t think he anticipated the impact his story would have on people and how much hearing his voice would mean to others.   I knew what it meant to me and my son, and so I knew that it needed to be heard by more people.  

Please understand that Josiah’s resignation happened just a couple of weeks ago.  He has agreed to educate some kids in his own home for this coming year.  With resources, options have opened up as far as growing his vision.  He will be starting a business account for home schooling co-op expenses.  Renovations will be forthcoming, and additional supplies will need to be purchased.   This story has brought media attention, and that has positive and negative aspects for Josiah and his family.  They are prayerfully considering all decisions at this point, and they want to take the time needed to make good choices, proceeding with care, appreciative of all donations.

Thank you, again.   There are no adequate words.  

Proverbs 22:6

UPDATE:  Josiah lights up and radiates when he talks about teaching kids how to learn for themselves, empowering them to be lifelong learners, who can speak truth, articulate arguments, and empower others. We want to help him achieve that goal. Josiah is going to take on more kids to begin a home-schooling co-op, as Kansas does not have a charter school option at this time, and one of his goals is to procure Montessori equipment. We’d like to help him with that effort. Additional funds will be put in an account and used to provide space and materials to create a special, inspired environment for these kids to become future instructors, leaders, out of the box thinkers, world-changers. One hundred percent, no exceptions, of moneys raised will go to fund Josiah’s mission. Kids need better options. Teachers need to know there is a way out. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart. I am SO encouraged. Thank you.

Please read this article from the Sentinel:

Teacher leaves Shawnee Mission over critical race theory, masks

While I don’t know if Josiah Enyart is being treated unfairly on a legal basis, I do know that the Shawnee Mission School Board should be ashamed either way. The board has decided to move forward with the fine assessment. It is on my heart to compensate Josiah from a community of grateful people, who appreciate his willingness to take a stand and say “no more.” He has put his livelihood on the line for our kids, and Shawnee Mission has lost an excellent teacher and one of the few men left to teach our boys and girls. If it’s on your heart too, I humbly ask that you do whatever you can to support his bravery and show him appreciation for being an excellent teacher, one that the district should have valued better. The list is becoming long. The hyper-focus on technology in the classroom at what cost? DEI training being mandated for Shawnee Mission staff with the intended result being what? Is it definable? We should honor this man for his courage. It is men like him who open the door and create the space for others to show courage. More of men like this, please.

We will try to update this story as it develops further or if there are major changes to the ongoing situation. It will be interesting to see if other teachers are emboldened to take action based on the outcome here as well.