No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has six pledges from Happy Valley teachers by the end of the week ending March 12.
They’re one of the thousands of US teachers pledging to continue educating students about the controversial Critical Race Theory, which explains racism is embedded in US culture and politics.
Comments from new Happy Valley teachers included “no one told me the truth when I was a student and now having to unlearn lies told to me or truths never told.” and “I am appalled and heartbroken that politicians are doubling down on racism. I am more resolved than ever to not be complacent. I have used Teaching Tolerance resources for years as well as lessons from the Zinn Education Project. I listened to the 1619 Project, and it informs my teaching. It should not be the role of education to create uncritical patriots (although that is exactly what textbooks seem to aspire to). Education should shine a light on truth and invite children to think critically about history. I lived in North Carolina when a debate was going on about whether or not to teach slavery. That was over 10 years ago. We cannot allow this erasure to happen.”.
Though the concept was first suggested in the late 70’s, it has recently exploded as a contentious issue between the American right and left in the last two years.
Many who signed the pledge are defying state bans on the teachings. Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, New Hampshire, Florida, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Tennessee have passed legislation banning discussions about the US being inherently racist.
Other states, such as Montana and Georgia, have denounced the teachings and are discussing a ban on critical race theory teachings.
In an interview with The Washington Free Beacon, Ashley Varner of the Freedom Foundation accused the Zinn Education Project of providing “left-leaning propaganda to teachers.”
| Teachers | Thoughts on Critical Race Theory |
|---|---|
| Sheryl Sargent | I won’t lie to children. They deserve truth. |
| Anne Mulligan-Brinson | “no comment” |
| Cecilia Brunning | “no comment” |
| Lisa Staver | no one told me the truth when I was a student and now having to unlearn lies told to me or truths never told. |
| Laurie Feola | I am appalled and heartbroken that politicians are doubling down on racism. I am more resolved than ever to not be complacent. I have used Teaching Tolerance resources for years as well as lessons from the Zinn Education Project. I listened to the 1619 Project, and it informs my teaching. It should not be the role of education to create uncritical patriots (although that is exactly what textbooks seem to aspire to). Education should shine a light on truth and invite children to think critically about history. I lived in North Carolina when a debate was going on about whether or not to teach slavery. That was over 10 years ago. We cannot allow this erasure to happen. |
| Katie Cunningham | “no comment” |
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