No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has 11 pledges from Aurora teachers by the end of the week ending Feb. 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 Aurora teachers included “I believe in fully educating my students in the entire truth!” and “Without teaching the truth, we are allowing history to repeat itself and worst of all, not providing our students the opportunity to analyze history and think critically on their own”.
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. Arizona, Idaho, Iowa, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas have passed legislation banning discussions about the US being inherently racist.
Other states, such as Montana and South Dakota, have denounced the teachings without passing specific legislation.
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 |
|---|---|
| Scott Ramsey | I grew up on lies |
| Jamie Logan | I refuse to lie to my students. I didn’t learn the truth about US Historybwhen I was growing up. However, I know better and now I will do better. |
| Kimberly Ausman | I believe that all people need to be informed of the truth in order for society not to repeat it’s past. |
| Amy Bernick | Students in all school settings deserve (and need to know) the truth about the history of the United States. Literature should reflect the diversity we see in our nation, no matter where someone attends school. We have a unique opportunity, as educators, to teach our students to be citizens and humans than previous generations. |
| Myia Johnson | My students matter. Their families matter. It's wrong to cover up the truth. |
| Erin Boyce | Without teaching the truth, we are allowing history to repeat itself and worst of all, not providing our students the opportunity to analyze history and think critically on their own |
| Jane Barber | For too long 400 years our children have been brainwashed about. The history of the United States They need to learn the truth so it can be rectified I am incensed that so many states are trying to hide the truth. |
| Scott Ramsey | “no comment” |
| Miguel Ortega | our students deserve to be fully educated. And because our marginalized people deserve to have their humanity affirmed. |
| Tanya Solano | Know better! Do better! Our future depends on teaching the past accurately. |
| Megan Ostedgaard | I believe in fully educating my students in the entire truth! |
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