A substitute teacher in Mississippi was relieved of her duties on her first day of work after a TikTok video she posted went viral. The video, created by 24-year-old Miata Borders, was filmed on school grounds and included a comment referring to a female student as “shorty.” Borders, who identifies as a content creator, had recently begun her role as a substitute teacher at Lake Cormorant High School in DeSoto County.
The video was part of Borders’ “day in the life” series, documenting her first day on the job on October 17. The footage captured various moments throughout her day, including an in-school pep rally parade featuring students, a band, and cheerleaders. It was during this parade that Borders made the comment about a student, which ultimately led to her dismissal.
The video quickly gained popularity online, garnering over 2.2 million views. School officials were notified about the video after it was posted on Borders’ social media page, leading to the termination of her contract. Borders was employed by staffing company Kelly Services, which has since confirmed that she will not be considered for any future positions within the school district.
In response to her dismissal, Borders, who also describes herself as a “trend$etter and handmade CEO,” argued that she was being unfairly portrayed. She stated that as a content creator, she films everything she does, and most of the video was shot when she was alone in the school. She also claimed that the school’s administrators were aware that she was recording her day.
However, the video also showed Borders secretly filming students as she walked through the school’s hallways, and at one point, she was seen with her feet propped up on a desk in a classroom. These actions, coupled with her comment about the student, were criticized by TikTok users, who accused her of being unprofessional and infringing on the privacy of underage students.
This incident is the latest in a string of controversies involving employees of DeSoto County Schools. Earlier in the week, several parents refused to send their children to school in protest of board members and faculty showing support for a convicted sex offender.