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Teacher who told students to remove 'Make America Great Again' shirts resigns

Orletsky has resigned following the months-long controversy surrounding the 'Make America Great Again' shirts.

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. — A local high school math teacher who made national headlines when she told students wearing “Make American Great Again” shirts to turn them inside out has tendered her resignation to the school board.

Lyn Orletsky was placed on administrative leave in September, shortly after a video of her request was made public.

On Wednesday, Orletsky released a statement, saying she is fearful for her life.

“After attacks on my character and threats on my life, I have made the decision to resign from my teaching position at River Ridge High School,” Orletsky said. “While in hindsight I would have handled the situation differently, the outcry over this incident has been disproportionate to the event itself.”

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Orletsky previously said she was motivated to ask the students to remove the slogan because it had been used by Neo-Nazis during the violent rallies in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Orletsky told students that wearing the slogan made popular by President Donald Trump was like wearing a swastika.

Orletsky’s resignation is on the agenda set for 7 p.m. Thursday.

Cherokee County Schools spokeswoman Barbara Jacoby confirmed Orletsky’s last day would be Nov. 1 if the board accepts her resignation.

Information from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was used in this report.