Lewisville teacher who wore pink dress to school will not return next year

Photo byCBS News

LEWISVILLE, TX – The Lewisville ISD teacher placed on administrative leave after a video of him wearing a dress went viral has decided to resign. Rachmad Tjachyadi, also known as Mr. T, shared his announcement earlier this month. 

“It has been challenging to watch the negative external commentary about me and about our campus, but much more important to me is the support shown by my colleagues, students, and LISD," Mr. T wrote in a letter. "My focus is and has always been our students, and I still believe in the important work being done at Hebron and in Lewisville ISD every day,” the educator said. 

Rachmad Tjachyadi became the subject of conversations last month after wearing a pink dress to school during spirit week at Hebron High School. The attire was part of a schoolwide activity in which students and staff were encouraged to dress according to different themes. Tjachyadi was reportedly encouraged by students to wear the dress. 

It was not until controversial right-wing social media platform Libs of TikTok shared a video of the North Texas teacher in his attire with its more than 2.8 million followers that Tjachyadi’s actions became an issue. 

The platform’s operators questioned how such activity was “acceptable.” Governor Greg Abbott also spoke about the incident. 

“No parent should be forced by the state to send their child to this school,” the governor shared on X. “I'm fighting for the right of parents to send their children elsewhere,” Abbott said in favor of school vouchers. “Parents deserve school choice in Texas.”

Tjachyadi was initially placed on administrative leave as standard procedure. The district ultimately found his actions to be in compliance with its regulations. Still, the teacher of 22 years moved to not return next year. 

“It is because of my love for Hebron and our students that I have decided not to return,” Tjachyadi shared in his letter. “I know that might sound strange, but any time adult disagreements overshadow our students' learning and well-being, it is time to step away.”