Connecticut schoolteacher Marisol Arroyo-Castro is being threatened with termination. Why? For expressing her faith and displaying a small crucifix near her desk.
For Marisol, being a teacher is more than a job. It’s a calling. She loves her job, and she’s great at it, too. She’s taught in the Connecticut public school system for over 30 years. She’s passionate, dedicate and highly qualified. She earned a master’s degree in education with a minor in child psychology.
For the past 10 years, Marisol has placed the crucifix by her desk along with other personal items. As a devout Catholic, it reminds her to pray and helps her remain calm throughout the day.
But right now, her life is being turned upside down and her teaching career could abruptly end. The New Britain School District is threatening to fire Marisol because she didn’t take down her crucifix. She was first suspended without pay, then placed administrative leave, and recently was reassigned to a nonteaching role.
In March, we filed an appeal brief at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
A Connecticut district court recently declined to order the school district to reinstate Marisol Arroyo-Castro to her teaching position. The school district has refused to return her to the classroom since December 2024 and has threatened to fire her numerous times.
We are asking the Second Circuit to vindicate our client’s First Amendment rights.
The law is clear that employers can’t fire or take adverse action against employees on the basis of religion.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District made clear that public school teachers are free to engage in personal expressions of their faith without threat of being fired. Learn more with this FREE resource:
– First Liberty Senior Counsel Becky Dummermuth
One would think that school districts would be more keen on keeping—rather than ousting—teachers who are experienced, caring and genuinely love what they do.
Instead, school officials have chosen to be vindictive. They told Marisol to put her crucifix in a drawer or under her desk, and the principal even disparaged her faith, suggesting the crucifix was just an idol.
Marisol was punished and is at risk of getting fired. But other teachers can freely display personal items at their desks from Baby Yoda figures to Patriots pennants. Even a photograph of the Virgin Mary is allowed. But, for some reason, Marisol’s small crucifix was unacceptable.
Does it make any sense to punish a qualified teacher simply because of her faith? Certainly not. Especially when the U.S Supreme Court has said its perfectly legal and constitutional for teachers to express their religious beliefs.
First Liberty sued the school district in federal court and reported it to the EEOC over its wrongful and illegal actions. We also filed a request for preliminary injunction to stop the district from punishing Marisol while the case works its way through the court system.
What’s being done to Marisol is blatant discrimination. The school district is violating the law and showing hostility toward religious expression, which is unconstitutional. The district must do what’s right, follow the law and restore Marisol to her teaching position.
Teachers have the right to engage in personal religious expression. Marisol should not be forced to choose between her faith and her livelihood. Our laws ensure that no American should ever have to make that difficult choice.
*If contributions exceed the immediate needs of a specific project or case, First Liberty may redirect funds at its discretion to provide support for other religious liberty matters.
Marisol’s career and livelihood are on the line. She’s counting on us to deliver a victory. Your support today can help get her back to the classroom and protect her right to express her faith.
Marisol is taking a brave stand for her beliefs. She has every right to put her faith on display without fearing punishment. She’s not backing down—and neither is First Liberty.
Will you stand with Marisol? She needs your support. Please give to First Liberty today.
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