Breaking: Geneva French teacher resigns after profane TikTok video goes viral

GENEVA – The Geneva High School French teacher at the center of a TikTok video controversy submitted her resignation to the district, according to the agenda for the Oct. 25 District 304 school board meeting.

The board typically votes to accept the personnel report, which includes the resignations as well as new hires and applications for family medical leave. The agenda includes the resignation of Antoinette Tortorello-Allaway.

Tortorello-Allaway posted a profanity-laced rant about someone who would not wear a mask at a choir concert at another school district.

The social media accounts for the teacher were closed, but not before the video was widely shared on other social media accounts and platforms. Her phone was disconnected and she did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Reaction to Tortorello-Allaway’s rant also drew backlash online and it even prompted a reaction from Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Gary Rabine, who issued a news release calling for the teacher’s firing.

The issue of masking in schools has been a thorny one politically in Illinois and Geneva, especially since the governor reinstated a requirement for people to wear masks indoors at schools and other public places in August. Earlier this school year, parents and others opposing the masking requirements packed school board meetings and some groups held rallies against such COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

Last week, St. Charles School Board member Carolyn Waibel abruptly resigned, citing “unrelenting harassment” she’s received over her stance in support of COVID-19 mitigation efforts.