A teacher who claims she was fired after a parent complained about her rapping career filmed a music video with her students to spread the word about her forced departure.
Domonique Brown, a charter school teacher who was once named "teacher of the month" was a US history teacher at Taylor Preparatory High School in metro Detroit and she also rapped as a side hustle under the name Drippin Honey. But earlier this month she was fired, saying it was because one parent made a complaint about her rapping work.
Domonique posted on Instagram: "Recently, I was forced to leave my position due to me being a Rapper. A single parent’s disapproval led to my dismissal." She said the parent's complaint was made anonymously in October after she released the song "Drippin 101", which led to several months of meetings with school administrators.
Speaking to WJBK, Domonique said: "The first meeting was with my dean and my principal and they were just telling me, ‘Hey, a parent said that they’ve seen your social media, and that you’re a bad influence because you’re a rapper'."
READ MORE: Sick mom Ruby Franke's chilling jail calls to husband after Youtuber arrested
Domonique said she continued to meet with officials following the parent's complaints and eventually had to choose between her teaching job and her rap career. She continued: “Five months later, meetings after meetings defending my involvement in the music industry I was asked to erase all my content that’s when I knew I HAVE TO BET ON MYSELF CUZ NOBODY WILL IF I DONT.” [sic]
Remaining undeterred following the parent's complaints and her firing, Domonique then filmed another rap music video, this time with her students. She said she filmed it on her last day as a teacher in February, reports WDBJ7, and the video now has over 32,000 views on YouTube.
Continuing, Domonique said: “Music is part of the culture. We’re from Motown, this is what we do. So it’s not like it’s unheard of, it’s the culture. When you look like me, you just understand it a little bit … better."
Domonique said she feels the school didn't think about how much of an impact she had on her students when they decided to fire her. She described how her life outside of teaching "does not interfere with my ability to fulfil my role as a teacher"
She said: “My dedication, professionalism, and passion for education have always been unwavering, regardless of any personal pursuits I may have.” Domonique has been working in teaching for seven years and is currently studying for a master's degree, with the aim of eventually getting a doctorate.
She got her job at Taylor Prep last August and was named "teacher of the month" soon after she started December. Domonique added that if she had been a bad teacher, then the school would have fired her straight away, saying that the administrators weren't transparent enough during the process.
Her post continued: “It is worth noting that when I was hired as a teacher, my involvement in the music industry as a rapper did not hinder my candidacy. I was judged based on my qualifications, experience, and potential to positively impact the lives of my students."
Taylor Prep said it was aware of Domonique's allegations but could not comment much on the issue due to student and staff privacy. In a statement obtained by Fox 2 Detroit, the school said: “Student well-being remains at the forefront of everything we do, and we will continue fostering a distraction-free teaching and learning environment focused on student success."
Domonique even tried to back up her talent as a teacher and her professionalism by inviting an anonymous parent into her classroom to see her in action as a teacher. She said: “I was like ‘hey, well can we tell that parent to come in and see professionalism, see me in a classroom, see me after school, see me at all the games, see me dropping kids off everyday, buying food?’. Can they come see me in my element before they try to say I’m unprofessional in it?"
The teacher added she has the support of more than 200 parents and students. She said: “I’m really in my community DOING EVERYTHING FOR EVERYBODY!! I go to every game, I’m picking up & dropping off, buying food, clothes, shelter, free tutoring, girls club and so much more!!”