Why was Cecilia Hailey fired by Kanye West? Former teacher likens rapper's Donda Academy curriculum practices to Adolf Hitler

Former Donda Academy teacher Cecilia Hailey recently spoke to The US Sun about her time in the unaccredited Christian private school founded by Kanye West in 2022. Last year, Hailey sued the rapper for alleged wrongful termination.

In the on-camera interview with the outlet, Hailey explained that the school seemed more like a "zoo." According to her, any opposition to Kanye West's decisions was not given much importance.

As per the lawsuit filed in April 2023, both Cecilia and her daughter Chekarey Byers were teachers at Donda Academy. After being hired in January last year, they were discharged two months later in March. According to the lawsuit, the duo was terminated after they began questioning the alleged "unlawful and unsafe practices."

The lawsuit read:

"No action was taken to remedy plaintiffs' complaints regarding sanitation, health, safety or education standard pursuant to local and state law, which plaintiffs made throughout the entirety of their employment."

In a recent conversation with The US Sun, Hailey mentioned that there were several instances of bullying at the school and no disciplinary action was taken against the students involved. The former teacher added:

"Kids were getting physical; they would fight, the bigger kids would fight the little kids."

She added that teachers were discouraged from intervening even when a fourth grader was hitting a first grader. Hailey said that some kids were "hiding under tables because they were afraid."

Hailey claimed that Kanye West wanted the kids to get military training and learn how to use guns.

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More about the allegations mentioned in the lawsuit filed against Kanye West's Donda Academy

While talking about Ye's wish of teaching kids how to handle guns, former teacher Cecilia Hailey explained how she opposed the initiative. Hailey recalled the time when she was asked about her take on the decision. She said:

"I'm like, 'Are you kidding me? I'm not having my third graders out learning how to shoot rifles, absolutely not. It came up kinda early when I first got there, kinda wanting to know how I felt about the kids learning to march, and how I felt about the kids taking gun classes and rifle classes."

She mentioned that gun-related classes were quite unacceptable to her. Hailey explained that she got "Hitler vibes" from Donda Academy and labeled Kanye as "delusional".

Not just Hailey, but some of her former colleagues are also part of this lawsuit against Ye. Another former teacher claimed that she was aware of an individual who was allegedly hired by the school authorities to teach tactical and military skills to the students.

Cecilia Hailey also shed light on the meal system in the school. According to the ex-teacher, the students were initially given decent food, however, Kanye West then suddenly decided that the students would only be served sushis. According to Hailey, many teachers had to sneak food in for the kids because they were left hungry most of the time.

Several guardians who had signed NDAs didn't reveal any such information about their kids learning marching or doing rifle training. As of now, Kanye West is yet to issue an official statement regarding the allegations. As per NBC News, the trial date for this lawsuit is set for April 9, 2025, at a Los Angeles courthouse. Hailey and Byers have sought a jury trial.