Legal and Living Expenses

Campaign Created by: Jonathan Koeppel

The funds from this campaign will be received by Jonathan Koeppel.

Goal: USD $50,000
Raised: USD $ 23,887
PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER FIRED FOR BEING CONSERVATIVE:

My name is Jonathan Koeppel and I am a Certified Louisiana Public School Teacher who was just fired from my job. For over a year I have been exercising my 1st amendment rights and have become a pro-freedom advocate. I've spoken at senate hearings, educational review committees, and school board meetings in opposition of critical race theory, transgender educational materials, and other matters relating to public education. In fact, a video of me speaking about BrainPop gained over 10million views in less than 48 hours before being banned as hate speech. See video here: https://www.ntd.com/teacher-against-gender-wokeism-goes-viral_606196.html 

Over the summer of 2021 I traveled the United States and was able to encourage other young people (I'm 26 by the way) to be brave and take a stand for freedom and what is right. I was also able to work with Marco Rubio's office to help identify U.S. citizens that were stranded in Cuba during the July pro-freedom protests on the island. When I returned to work at the end of summer break, I was immediately kicked off of campus and told I had a hearing to attend and that it was about my job. See video here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CSHMjP-I69L/

To give full context, I was given a mask exemption the prior school year due to legitimate issues I have with my nose that stem from a boxing match when I was a teenager. I made it clear on social media that I would not be wearing a mask to work when the Louisiana Governor issues his new mask mandate; reason #1 is because I am exempt according to the governor's mandate, reason #2 is that I was given an exemption from my employer. Louisiana had a mask mandate that was to go into full effect on Wednesday, August 4th. On August 3rd, Louisiana was under a voluntary mask mandate. 

When I walked into the school cafeteria, a room full of maskless people, on August 3rd - I was immediately singled out by my principal and kicked off of campus in public view (keep in mind that my state was under a voluntary mask mandate on that day). I was told that I had to go home because I would not wear the mask to school. Even though I had an approved medical exemption which was accepted by my employer AND the mask mandate did not go into effect until the next day, I was kicked off campus and told not to return.

At first, I was being disciplined because of my refusal to wear a mask. THEN I was later notified that my employer was very upset with my public involvement in the community. They referenced my social media platforms and said that I am unprofessional and am not allowed to speak openly on matters other than for general discussion. However - the local teacher's union told me that I do have a right to free speech, and that is protected. 

After two official hearings with my principal and the Assistant Superintendent, I was officially terminated. At first it was because I wouldn't wear a mask and allegedly violated the governor's mandate. But in the end, it had almost nothing to do with wearing a mask. On the official termination letter it doesn't actually give a reason for why I was fired. 

I will now be taking legal action against my former employer and need YOUR help to do so. The money raised will go towards my upfront and future legal costs and to float my living expenses over the next few months as I have no primary source of income and have a lot of figuring out to do.. I will also do my best to make good use of my time and continue fighting for freedom in my home state of Louisiana.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW: Before I recieve any money, a percentage of these funds will be taxed, another percentage will be taken for payment processing fees, and a voluntary percentage will be going to Give Send Go.

UPDATES

Update #3
October 27, 2021
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Are you wondering where am I now and what am I doing? Well, first I want to say THANK YOU to all the people who have been supporting me since I was fired and decided to sue my school board. Currently, we filed the lawsuit and are waiting to hear back on a court date and other information related to the case. My attorney and I feel that we have a very strong case that will ultimately prove that STPSB management acted wrongfully in terminating me from my job. There are first amendment violation, but also medical discrimination and more. The lawsuit is filed in federal court and may take up to a year before being finished. 

As for me, I am currently working building fences and decks to make money now. Recently I've had the opportunity to speak at Turning Point LIVE in Phoenix and the Pray Vote Stand Summit in Loudon County Virginia. Life has been different, but I am making the best of it and keeping an open mind, while trying to maintain a positive attitude. I know that i'm doing the right thing and I believe that is why so many people have shown an outpouring of support. Your support and encouragement helps to counter all the negative commentary and hate coming my direction from those who are filled with disdain towards me. 

Once again, I can't thank you enough! God bless.
-Jonathan

Update #2
September 1, 2021
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Hurricane Ida and My Lawsuit:

For those of you who have been following my story, I’m sure you a curious as to what has been going on. Anyone who is just finding out about me, you’ll have to read the first update in order to get the overview of the situation.

The recent hurricane that hit South East Louisiana caused massive amounts of damage and put a pause on just about everything in the region. Most people are without power in the Greater New Orleans Area, and it could take weeks before that is fully restored. Some areas flooded, had extreme wind damage, and other areas had little to no damage other than being without electricity and sewer. There have been a lot of scammers going around trying to raise money as well as people looting from vacant homes/property.

Schools have been closed until further notice. Students and staff have all been affected and are scattered around the country right now. This recovery is going to take a while, but it isn’t the first time Louisiana has been hit hard by a natural disaster and had to take some time to get back on its feet.

People and organizations, from the local area and beyond, are starting to help those effected by the storm. They are providing free meals, water, and other essential items (if you are going to give money to someone, make sure they are actually providing relief first!). It’s a beautiful sight to see, Americans coming together to help each other during an extremely difficult time.

In regard to my lawsuit, I was supposed to review a draft this week with my attorney and then we would be moving on to the next step in our process. This, of course, has been delayed due to the hurricane affecting where I live and the area where my attorney resides. We did speak recently, and it looks like we will be back to work at the end of this week. I have zero intentions of dropping this issue or letting things slide. As I said in a recent article with The Daily Caller, I’m fighting back on behalf of everyone that is “sick and tired of being pushed around by the public education system, just for being conservative”.

As far as a job, I am still jobless and the hurricane has definitely made that search a little more difficult. I had just started to apply at nearby private schools, but those are all now closed. So we will see what happens in the coming weeks.

As soon as something new happens, I promise to let everyone know. Thank you all for the love and support! You guys make me feel a little less alone in this fight and encouraged to continue. God bless!

-Jonathan

Update #1
August 19, 2021
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I want to start by saying THANK YOU! I have read all the prayers, I have seen all the donations, i've been deeply touched by all the kind things people are saying. It is truly remarkable to see how many people are in support of what I'm doing. 

As of right now my campaign is 30% funded! I am currently working with my legal team to gather up all the information that they need in order for them to take the next step in this process. We feel extremely confident that I have a strong case that will be near impossible to defeat.. In America, no one is above the law. 

I've decided to take a stand against tyranny, of all sorts, and it has cost me my job and likely a future in education. Do I regret anything? Nope.

Once again, thank you all. We will take back America one school board, one city, and one state at a time. Thanks.

-Jonathan 

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