Nashville teacher fired over alleged AI use involving student images - WZTV

Nashville teacher fired over alleged AI use involving student images

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A Metro Nashville Public Schools teacher has been fired after school leaders concluded he used artificial intelligence to alter photos and videos of students without their consent, according to dismissal records approved this week by the Metro Nashville Board of Education.

The board voted Tuesday unanimously to terminate Mario Mumphery, a tenured exceptional education teacher at Nashville Big Picture High School, after district leaders recommended his dismissal for what Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle described as “unprofessional conduct [conduct unbecoming to a member of the teaching profession].”

MNPS tells FOX 17 News Mumphery has been with the school district since 2004.

According to Battle’s July 7 dismissal letter, multiple students reported Mumphery took photos and videos of them in class before using artificial intelligence to alter the images without permission.

The letter alleges some of the AI-generated videos showed students dancing in ways they considered inappropriate, while other altered images portrayed students in fabricated personal or family situations. Another student reported the teacher created cartoon or “teddy bear style” versions of students’ photos.

“Students reported that these actions made them feel extremely uncomfortable,” Battle wrote.

The dismissal records also allege Mumphery shared some of the AI-generated images and videos with other students. One student told investigators the teacher showed “a video of two male students ‘twerking’” to an entire class. Other students reported AI-generated videos depicting classmates performing what one student described as a “‘gay dance,’” while another said the videos made students move “their hips in weird ways.”

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Beyond the AI allegations, the dismissal letter says students reported Mumphery texted some students outside school hours, asked about their whereabouts and became upset if they did not respond quickly. The letter also alleges he inserted himself into students’ personal conversations and made comments school leaders deemed inappropriate.

According to the dismissal records, Nashville Big Picture High School Principal Brenda Diaz reported the allegations to the Metro Nashville Police Department and the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services after interviewing multiple students.

DCS confirmed to FOX 17 News that it is actively investigating the matter but declined to provide additional information, citing state and federal confidentiality laws. Full Statement Below:

"DCS is aware of the publicly released MNPS materials and can confirm the department is actively investigating a matter referenced in that document. Due to state and federal confidentiality laws, DCS is prohibited from providing additional information."

Metro Nashville police also responded to FOX 17 News, stating only that “Mario Mumphery does not have an arrest history in Davidson County.” The department did not answer additional questions about whether a criminal investigation is underway.

The case also comes as Metro Nashville Public Schools has issued guidance outlining expectations for staff using artificial intelligence.

The district’s AI Graphic Creation Guidelines instruct employees not to upload student names, photographs, education records or other personally identifiable student information into AI tools. The guidance also states staff should not generate AI images using photographs or videos of real Metro Schools students or use AI to “add, remove, replace, or substantially alter” people or events in authentic district photographs in ways that change what occurred.

While the dismissal letter cites violations of district policies governing staff-student relationships, ethics and student rights and responsibilities, it does not specifically cite the AI guidance among the policies supporting the recommendation for dismissal.

Professional Educators of Tennessee Executive Director and CEO J.C. Bowman said the case highlights how quickly artificial intelligence is evolving and could prompt broader conversations about how schools regulate its use.

“People have not even comprehended all the things you can do with AI yet,” Bowman said. “Teachers with enough skills can go in and alter images and do things like that. You have entered into a new frontier. School district policy is going to have to address this.”

Bowman said he believes districts should continue updating AI guidance for educators and predicted the case could draw attention from state lawmakers.

“After this case, I think there’ll be some legislators that see this story and say, ‘You know what? We need to step in and pass a law,’” Bowman said. He added that he believes Metro Nashville Public Schools “handled this properly” and said protecting students must remain the priority.

Battle wrote the allegations warranted termination under Tennessee law.

“This conduct is grounds for dismissal under T.C.A. 49-5-501 and 49-5-511, and I have no alternative but to seek termination of your employment as a tenured teacher,” the letter states.

The dismissal records also note Mumphery previously received a three-day unpaid suspension in January for inappropriate physical contact with a student, inappropriate communication with a student and insubordination. The superintendent also referenced counseling memorandums issued in 2023 and 2024 related to other employment matters.

A MNPS spokesperson said Mumphery now has the opportunity to appeal through the district’s established teacher dismissal process.

FOX 17 News reached out to Mumphery for comment but had not received a response as of publication.