Southern Wisconsin Times

A Burlington Area School District educator who attended the rally in Washington, D.C., has been put on administrative leave pending an investigation.

Jeff Taff, a modern American history and modern world history teacher, also discussed election integrity in class with students and even shared voter fraud conspiracy theories in class, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

Jon Phetteplace shared a message from Taff that his son had received in a class e-mail regarding Taff going to the rally.

"I will be GONE this week Tuesday-Thursday and plan to be back on Friday," Taff's email read. "I will be in Washington, DC. Some of you will understand why! Some will not. I am sorry, but standing up for election integrity and our right to vote in FAIR elections is too important for me to NOT be there."

Parents with children at the school have called for the teacher to be fired, with students highlighting that this was not the first time Taff had shared his political opinions with them.

Laura Bielefeldt, member of the Burlington coalition, whose daughter was once taught by Taff said Taff overexercised his rights and termination was the most valid response in the situation.

 “But I also feel that he has the right to participate in these events that he wants to participate in, we all have that freedom and liberty,” Bielefeldt said to JS Online. “However, as a teacher and as a history teacher ... he shouldn’t be telling them what his opinions are or trying to influence their opinions.”

The school has since distanced itself from Taff's participation in the protests, saying he was off his teaching duties when he went to the Capitol.

"An internal investigation has been launched into information this teacher posted in Google Classroom," the statement from the school district said. "The teacher has been placed on administrative leave so that we can investigate the totality of the circumstances, as we have not yet had an opportunity to speak with this teacher."

Pro-Trump supporters on Jan. 6 protested the election results. The protests escalated into a violent riot with people illegally breaking into the Capitol. Around 90 arrests were made and many participants have since been fired or forced to leave their jobs.