A substitute teacher in DeSoto County had her first day in class be her last day after filming students and posting the video to TikTok, at one point calling a student “shorty.”
Miata Borders was terminated by Kelly Services, which provides substitute teachers for DeSoto County Schools. The district informed Kelly Services that Borders would not be allowed to work at any DCS school anymore after learning of the TikTok video.
While it is not specifically stated in the video where Borders was teaching, a comment on the TikTok video mentions the sendoff for the volleyball team on their way to the state championship match in Clinton and another part of the video shows “Lake Cormorant High School” on the gymnasium entrance to the building.
The “shorty” reference is apparently a slang term for a girl. The slang term “shorty” (also spelled shawty or shortie) is an affectionate nickname that originated in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and hip-hop culture. It’s considered informal slang and isn’t typically appropriate in professional or serious settings unless quoting or writing about pop culture.
The video Borders had on Tik Tok was later posted on X/Twitter.
A substitute high school teacher was fired on their first day for making TikTok videos at school and calling female students 'shorty.' 👀
On the page, Borders says, “As you may know, I’m the substitute teacher that was recently fired from teaching due to my TikTok. Due to the continued backlash, I’ve not only lost my job as substitute teaching, but I’ve also lost my main job as DSP. I’m now jobless and homeless, while in the process of relocating. I’m truly a great person with good intentions who made a bad mistake.”
The video that led to Borders’ termination has been viewed over two million times.
Bob Bakken provides content for DeSoto County News and its social media channels. He is an award-winning broadcaster, along with being a reporter and photographer, and has done sports media relations work with junior and minor league hockey teams. Along with his reports on this website, you will find this veteran media member providing sports updates and high school football play-by-play on Rebel 95.3 FM Radio.
