Teacher Accused of Indoctrination After Making Her Students Watch Disney Movie 'Strange World' That Shows Queer Undertones

A Florida teacher found herself under investigation for alleged indoctrination after showing Disney's animated film Strange World to her fifth-grade class, prompting a complaint from a parent who objected to the film's LGBTQ+ storyline.

Jenna Barbee, then a first-year teacher at Winding Waters School in Hernando County, defended her decision, saying the film was chosen because it tied into the pupils' science curriculum. She also said the subsequent investigation took a toll on her class, leaving some of her 10- and 11-year-old pupils distressed by the controversy.

Why Was the Teacher Investigated?

Barbee said she showed Strange World to her class after the children had spent the morning taking exams. She believed the film was relevant to lessons about Earth science and ecosystems because its story centres on a family of explorers discovering a mysterious plant that provides energy for their community.

However, the film also features Ethan Clade, a teenage character who is openly gay and briefly develops a crush on another boy.

Barbee insisted that Ethan's sexuality had nothing to do with her decision to show the film. She said some pupils had already spoken to her about being part of the LGBTQ+ community and that she viewed her role as being accepting rather than attempting to influence their beliefs.

Parent Accuses Teacher of Crossing the Line

The complaint was reportedly made by Shannon Rodriguez, a parent who also served on the local school board.

Rodriguez argued that teachers should not use classroom materials to introduce children to subjects involving gender or sexual identity. She maintained that allowing films such as Strange World could create opportunities for conversations that she believed did not belong in the classroom.

The dispute unfolded against the backdrop of Florida's Parental Rights in Education Act, legislation that placed restrictions on classroom instruction involving sexual orientation and gender identity.

Barbee said she was reported to the state's education authorities for alleged 'indoctrination' before she had even been given the opportunity to explain her decision.

Barbee Says Her Students Were Traumatised

The teacher's strongest criticism was directed at the way investigators questioned her pupils.

According to Barbee, children were removed from their classrooms individually and questioned as part of the investigation. She argued that this was particularly troubling because some of the pupils had only recently become comfortable speaking with her.

She questioned whether investigators had considered the emotional impact of removing young children from their lessons and questioning them about what had happened in class.

Barbee also rejected the suggestion that she was trying to promote her personal beliefs. Instead, she said her objective was to teach children about kindness, positivity and compassion towards other people.

What Is 'Strange World' About?

Released by Disney in 2022, Strange World follows the Clade family as they explore a mysterious world beneath their community.

The animated adventure focuses heavily on environmental themes, including ecosystems, energy and the relationship between humans and their surroundings. Ethan Clade is one of the younger members of the family and is portrayed as gay.

His sexuality is not the central storyline of the film, but his romantic interest in another male character became a point of controversy among some parents and critics.

For Barbee, however, the environmental themes were the reason she considered the film appropriate for her class.

Florida's Wider Culture War Reaches the Classroom

The controversy surrounding Barbee became part of a much larger political dispute over what children should be exposed to in schools.

Florida officials had increasingly focused on classroom materials involving LGBTQ+ representation, while conservative parents and advocacy groups pushed for greater control over what children could access.

Disney itself had become embroiled in a political battle with Florida after opposing the state's education legislation. That conflict intensified tensions between the entertainment company and Republican state leadership.