Waukesha Teacher Who Suggested 'Rainbowland' For Concert Put On Leave

WAUKESHA, WI — After a Waukesha school determined the song "Rainbowland" may be too controversial for a first-grade concert, the teacher who initially suggested the song has been placed on administrative leave.

The Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton duet was initially suggested by Heyer Elementary Teacher Melissa Tempel, who told the Associated Press in late March the song was chosen because it was "wonderful and sweet." But the school's principal and an administrator determined the song could be controversial under Board Policy 2240, and the song was changed to "Rainbow Connection" by Kermit the Frog, according to the district.

See also: 'Rainbowland' Too Controversial For Waukesha First Graders: District

Tempel has since been placed on administrative leave, according to Mary Jo King, a communications specialist for the district. The reason behind the leave remained unclear into Thursday.

District Superintendent James Sebert in March told The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel the song was blocked based on "whether it was appropriate for the age and maturity level of the students" and "social or personal impacts" on them.

Patch asked readers across southeastern Wisconsin if "Rainbowland" is too controversial for first-graders to perform. The survey was not scientific and simply to gauge opinion. Of 565 respondents, 490 said the song is not controversial, while 75 respondents said it is.

Many respondents wondered what was controversial in the first place.

"I'm completely baffled by this," one reader said.

"The only thing controversial is people who find rainbows offensive," another reader wrote. "Kids don’t care. This is about grown-ups assigning meaning based on their own biases. Rainbowland should be allowed because it’s a song with positive messages. Accepting others as they are is a value we should be encouraging our kids to demonstrate."

Some agreed with the decision to block the song. One reader accused Tempel of being an activist and asserted the song is directed toward LGBTQ acceptance. Another reader said they should allow prayer in schools if they allow the song. Another reader said the students are too young to understand the lyrics.

The Alliance for Education in Waukesha, a group formed by parents in 2021 to rally for safety amid the pandemic, is advocating for Tempel's return to the classroom.

"Now Waukesha is a national laughingstock and the blame for that falls squarely to the feet of the district's leadership, not those who have the courage to hold them accountable, like Ms. Tempel," AEW wrote in a statement to Facebook Tuesday.

Demonstrators sing 'Rainbowland' outside school board

On Wednesday, AEW led a demonstration outside a Waukesha school board meeting. Multiple television outlets captured footage of demonstrators singing "Rainbowland."

The song's lyrics include, "Wouldn't it be nice to live in paradise, Where we're free to be exactly who we are. Let's all dig down deep inside. Brush the judgment and fear aside. Make wrong things right. And end the fight.

"Oh, I'd be lying if I said this was fine, All the hurt and the hate going on here. We are rainbows, me and you Every color, every hue, Let's shine on through," the song continues.

The board did not address the song during Wednesday's meeting, according to a report by TMJ4 News. Still, one board member, Anthony Zenobia, told the outlet he stood by the principal's decision to block the song and questioned how material may be taught.

Teacher accused of activism

Amid the controversy, Tempel came under fire in an article by The Lion, a publication out of the Christian education advocacy group, The Herzog Foundation. The Lion called the bilingual teacher a "teacher activist" and pointed toward social media posts, one where she was wearing rainbow accessories and another where she was outspoken about the decision to block "Rainbowland."

Parent Stacy Keene told the Christian education outlet, "It's not about the song... ...it's about this activist teacher in our schools..."

What is controversial?

When we asked readers if the song "Rainbowland" is controversial, we also asked what exactly should be considered controversial. Many mentioned things about violence, weapons, slurs, drugs, sex and profanity.

Here are some other reader responses:

"If you want to be picky, you can absolutely pick apart any and every song students sing during their concerts," one reader said. "You will never make everybody happy. I would love for the board to find a song that not one person would have an issue with. There will always be somebody or something."

"Miley Cyrus is not a positive influence on the kids," another reader said. "Let's look at the artist as well as the hidden imagery in the songs."

"All can be used if handled with appropriate educational support," another reader said. "Songs teach! Teachers need to be free to use content and teach!"

"We (the entire community, not just the loudest parents) need to sit down and discuss how we should best teach our children to be tolerant—to all views," another reader said.

See also:

Signs Supporting Many Student Groups Taken Down At Waukesha Schools

Waukesha School Board Adopts Controversial Parental Rights Resolution

Parents Protest Over Decision To Opt Out Of School Lunch Program

Waukesha Teacher Awarded For Helping Make Schools LGBTQ+ Safe