Detroit ‘teacher of the month’ claims she was fired over parent’s complaint about rapping side hustle — then films music video with students
A Detroit charter school teacher, once named “teacher of the month,” claimed she was fired because a parent complained over her rap career — later filming a music video with her students to announce her forced departure.
Domonique Brown, who performs under the pseudonym Drippin Honey, was a US history teacher at Taylor Preparatory High School in metro Detroit before she was fired earlier this month, she revealed on social media.
“Recently, I was forced to leave my position due to me being a Rapper,” Brown posted on Instagram. “A single parent’s disapproval led to my dismissal.”
Brown revealed the parent’s complaint was submitted anonymously in October, after she released her song “Drippin 101,” resulting in several months of meetings with school administrators
“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,'” Brown told WJBK.
She continued to meet with the officials amid the parent’s complaints and Brown had to choose between her day job or rap career.
“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.”
Brown and over a dozen of her students filmed a music video as she remained undeterred over the firing or the parent’s complaints.
She said she filmed the video on her last day in February, according to WDBJ7.
The video has since been viewed over 32,000 on YouTube.
“Music is part of the culture,” she said. “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.”
Brown claimed the school’s administration didn’t consider how much impact she had on her students when deciding to fire her.
“My outside life should not be grounds for termination when it does not interfere with my ability to fulfill my responsibilities as a teacher,” she said. “My dedication, professionalism, and passion for education have always been unwavering, regardless of any personal pursuits I may have.”
Brown has been teaching for seven years, all while working towards a master’s degree with the dream of one day getting a doctorate, according to WJBK.
She started work at the charter school last August and was named the school’s “Teacher of the Month” in December, the outlet reported.
“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,” Brown’s post continued.
She also claimed if she were a bad teacher that the school would’ve fired her immediately, stating the administrators weren’t transparent enough throughout the ordeal.
Taylor Prep is approximately 18 miles from Downtown Detroit.
The school said it was aware of Brown’s allegations but limited in what it could say because of student and staff privacy.
“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,” the school’s statement obtained by Fox 2 Detroit read.
Brown attempted to back up her professionalism by inviting the anonymous parent to her classroom during the school day to show what kind of teacher she was.
“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?’ ” Brown said. “Can they come see me in my element before they try to say I’m unprofessional in it?”
Brown says she has support from over 200 parents and students and isn’t doing it because of job placement.
“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!!”
