Florida Teacher Faces License Revocation Over 'Dictator' Award to Student

Lauren Watts, a history teacher at Gainesville High School in Florida, faces disciplinary action after reportedly giving a student a mock award titled "Most Likely to Become a Dictator," sparking significant backlash. The student's mother, Crystal Marull, testified before the State Board of Education that her son was also labeled a "Naziphile" by classmates with the teacher's allowance, citing his conservative views and ROTC participation as reasons for the harassment. Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas has filed a formal complaint aiming to revoke Watts' teaching certificate for violations including discrimination, harassment, and causing unnecessary embarrassment. Attorney General James Uthmeier publicly condemned the teacher's actions, calling for her immediate termination and permanent ban from teaching in Florida. The school district placed Watts on administrative leave as investigations continue, with the case highlighting broader tensions over political bias and the treatment of conservative students in Alachua County schools. This controversy has escalated into a statewide political and cultural issue involving multiple state officials and agencies.