No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has four pledges from Troutdale 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 Troutdale teachers included “As an educator, it is imperative to teach the truth and dismantle white supremacy and institutionalized racism. Despite what racist, Republican legislatures do, I am committed to teaching Black Lives Matter and a People's History curriculum in my classroom.” and “Teachers deserve the autonomy to make professional decisions about what they teach their students. Furthermore, teachers ought to be given the benefit of the doubt that when they are choosing to teach multiple perspectives that's exactly what they are doing. Indoctrination that has been happening through traditional curriculum is exactly what this work goes against; every teacher should be empowered through all the resources at their disposal to teach critical reading, writing, listening, and thinking to their students from different perspectives across the curriculum.”.
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 |
|---|---|
| Ronald May | The only way to change is to understand what is wrong. |
| Valerie Schiller | Teachers deserve the autonomy to make professional decisions about what they teach their students. Furthermore, teachers ought to be given the benefit of the doubt that when they are choosing to teach multiple perspectives that's exactly what they are doing. Indoctrination that has been happening through traditional curriculum is exactly what this work goes against; every teacher should be empowered through all the resources at their disposal to teach critical reading, writing, listening, and thinking to their students from different perspectives across the curriculum. |
| Evan Selby | As an educator, it is imperative to teach the truth and dismantle white supremacy and institutionalized racism. Despite what racist, Republican legislatures do, I am committed to teaching Black Lives Matter and a People's History curriculum in my classroom. |
| Shannon McCarl | Truth is the only way to freedom. |
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