A teacher at a Tucson elementary school, who previously gained national attention for her racial identity issues, has been terminated from her position. The termination comes after the discovery of a social media account connected to the teacher that reportedly violates school district policy.

Nkechi Diallo, formerly known as Rachel Dolezal, was employed by the Catalina Foothills School District. According to local news reports, school officials became aware of a publicly accessible social media account linked to Diallo, which contained material deemed inappropriate for an educator. The specific nature of the content has not been officially disclosed, but the district confirmed it violated their social media policy for employees.

According to the Catalina Foothills School District, Diallo, who has legally changed her name, was terminated on Feb. 10 after school officials discovered a public social media page where she shared a link to an Only Fans account.

The school district has declined to comment on the specific details of the content on the OnlyFans account, citing privacy concerns. However, district policy prohibits staff from using school resources or their professional positions to promote personal businesses that are not aligned with the district’s educational mission.

“We only learned of Ms. Nkechi Diallo’s OnlyFans social media posts (Tuesday) afternoon,” said Julie Fairbank, a spokesperson for the district. “Her posts are contrary to our district’s ‘Use of Social Media by District Employees’ policy and our staff ethics policy. She is no longer employed by the Catalina Foothills School District.”

Diallo has not publicly commented on the matter. It remains unclear whether she intends to appeal the decision.

A collision of past scandals and teacher pay discontent

Diallo’s case has garnered renewed interest due to her prior history. In 2015, she sparked national controversy after it was revealed that she, a white woman, had been publicly identifying as Black for several years, including holding leadership positions in organizations focused on racial justice like the NAACP. The incident sparked heated discussions about racial identity, cultural appropriation, and accountability.

“What Dolezal is accused of is more than just the basis of a thought exercise about race,” wrote Vox’s Jenee Desmond-Harris in 2015. “Many people are deeply offended by the idea that someone whose family suffered none of the horrifying systemic racism African Americans endure would seem to so gleefully immerse herself in and enjoy the trappings of black culture… But most infuriating to some is the idea that she may be able to retreat comfortably back into a white identity, leaving the racism she claims to have experienced as a black woman behind.”

In 2018, Diallo also faced charges of welfare fraud after allegedly receiving thousands of dollars in public assistance by misrepresenting her income. Authorities contend that Dolezal failed to disclose additional income while collecting government aid, adding another chapter to her controversial history of identity deception. She was sentenced to community service in 2019.

While the reasons for her termination as a teacher are unrelated to her past controversies, the news has prompted renewed online chatter about Diallo and her complex history.

Diallo isn’t the first teacher to go under fire for having an Only Fan account. Two Missouri teachers from the same school were placed on leave after their accounts were discovered in November. One of the teachers, Brianna Coppage, said she made nearly $1 million in just six months.

The debate surrounding teachers having Only Fans accounts ignites a complicated conflict between personal expression and professional boundaries. Compounding this issue, educators say they are struggling financially and getting a second job isn’t easy.

New data reveals a bleak reality for educators: teacher salaries are falling further and further behind those of their college-educated peers, according to the Economic Policy Institute in 2023. The national average for a teacher’s starting salary sits at a mere $42,844, raising serious concerns about attracting and retaining talent in education

This widening gap isn’t just a number on a spreadsheet – it has real-world consequences. Teachers, burdened with rising costs of living and student loans, often face tough choices, like juggling multiple jobs or leaving the profession altogether. This can lead to teacher shortages, larger class sizes, and ultimately, a diminished quality of education for our children.

“What am I doing? I am doing all the things that society has told me,” said former educator turned Only Fans influencer to NBC in 2023. “I was following the path and I’m unhappy, I’m unfulfilled and I am struggling financially. I am in so much debt.”

In the case of Diallo, the news rekindles discussions surrounding Dolezal’s past controversies and the broader challenges faced by educators struggling financially.