The Resignation of Rosalyn Sandri: A Transgender Teacher’s Story
Rosalyn Sandri began many of her videos the same way. Looking into her camera, the 33-year-old transgender woman smiled and introduced herself: “Hi, it’s Rosie,” she said. “Texas English teacher and transgender goddess.”
In a video posted to TikTok March 18, Sandri went on to describe the joy she felt when her high school students embraced her pronouns. She called it “gender euphoria.”
“They call me ma’am. They call me miss,” she said. “They use my correct pronouns and know my correct name, and it is incredibly affirming.”
The Backlash
One week later, the far-right social media account Libs of TikTok shared the video of Sandri to its four million followers, revealing that she taught at Red Oak High School, about 20 miles south of Dallas.
“Would you feel comfortable with this person teaching your kid?” the account wrote.
Death threats followed. An email sent to her school address told her to eat a bullet, and a state senator called for her termination. The school district placed her on administrative leave. On Monday, Sandri resigned, saying she felt it was necessary to protect her students against threats.
A Heartbreaking Decision
“I’m heartbroken. It felt like my hands were tied,” Sandri told The Dallas Morning News. “But my No. 1 priority as a teacher is my students, and I can’t put their safety at risk.”
Beth Trimble, a spokesperson for Red Oak ISD, confirmed Sandri’s resignation and said the district has received a flurry of phone calls and emails following the social media attention. The district declined to provide additional information about Sandri’s status, citing privacy concerns.
Reaction from Officials
Texas State Rep. Brian Harrison, a Midlothian Republican whose district includes Red Oak and who called for Sandri’s dismissal, said in a written statement Wednesday that he was glad to see the teacher would no longer be working in the district.
“Public schools are for education, not indoctrination,” he told The News, adding that he condemns violent threats, which he is also receiving.
🚨As the State Representative for Red Oak ISD, I am demanding that THIS TEACHER BE IMMEDIATELY TERMINATED!
Public schools (and the property taxes that fund them) are for education… not leftist indoctrination!
I am in communication with @redoakisd and will keep you posted. https://t.co/NmXuk3hL2t
— Brian Harrison (@brianeharrison) March 28, 2025
A Pattern of Intimidation
This is not the first time a post from Libs of TikTok, which frequently targets LGBTQ people, has resulted in the resignation of a North Texas teacher. In 2024, Rachmad Tjachyadi, a science teacher in Lewisville ISD, resigned after the account shared a photo of him wearing a dress on a school spirit day.
Rosalyn Sandri’s Story
Sandri, who graduated from Red Oak High School in 2010, said she was thrilled to return to the school as a teacher a few years ago and loved teaching sophomore English.
“It’s a profession where you can really make a difference,” she said. “You’re teaching students critical thinking skills. It always felt very important to me.”
After years of knowing she was transgender, Sandri said she began taking hormones at the beginning of this school year and notified school administrators. After winter break, she returned to work in dresses. Although she never publicly addressed her transition, some students asked questions.
Support from the Community
Sandri said she was devastated that she was unable to say goodbye to students this week, but she has received an outpouring of support on TikTok from strangers and her students and their families.
“My son said you were one of his favorite teachers. I’m sorry for all of the ugly you have had to endure,” one person wrote. Another said, “As a parent of one of your students…I cannot praise you enough! The care and compassion that my son received from you is rare.”
What’s Next for Rosalyn Sandri
Sandri said she is now deciding her next move, but that she is unlikely to find a teaching job in Texas, where transgender rights have come under fire in recent years. She said she will continue to fight for gay and transgender rights.
“This has made an activist out of me,” she said. “I will do everything in my power to lift up the transgender community.”
Conclusion
Rosalyn Sandri’s story is a tragic reminder of the challenges faced by transgender individuals in the United States. Despite the progress made in recent years, there is still much work to be done to ensure that everyone, regardless of their gender identity, is treated with dignity and respect.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What happened to Rosalyn Sandri?
A: Rosalyn Sandri, a transgender English teacher, was forced to resign from her position at Red Oak High School in Texas after receiving death threats and backlash on social media.
Q: Why was Rosalyn Sandri targeted?
A: Rosalyn Sandri was targeted because she is a transgender woman and had shared a video on TikTok describing her experience with “gender euphoria” when her students used her correct pronouns.
Q: What is Libs of TikTok?
A: Libs of TikTok is a far-right social media account that frequently targets LGBTQ individuals, including Rosalyn Sandri.
Q: What can be done to support transgender individuals like Rosalyn Sandri?
A: To support transgender individuals like Rosalyn Sandri, we can educate ourselves about the challenges they face, speak out against discrimination and harassment, and advocate for policies that protect their rights and dignity.
