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03/09/2022 07:00 AMOn Jan. 31, equity consultant Dr. Don Siler presented his findings to the Board of Education (BOE) Curriculum Instruction and Assessment Committee.
Throughout the presentation, Dr. Siler referred to “the work” to be done after interviewing staff and students.
In 2020, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Paul Freeman said, “As a school system, we’re committed to conducting a curricular audit and to continue teacher training around the topics of race, racism, justice, equity and identity. …[W]e heard …from current students and recent graduates that they expected us to continue this work…”
“The work.” What is it and how is it manifested in professional development and the classroom? How does it translate into the social fabric of our children lives? Are peers judging one another in the light of brotherly love or by intersectional levels of oppressors or oppressed, race or ethnicity, or religious or political grounds?
Parents should question children each day about what was taught in school. Do teachers discuss their political, religious, or social justice viewpoints?
Democratic BOE member Moira Rader spoke at a Jan. 25, 2021 meeting about how “the work” being done by teachers is met with opposition once the kids are home at the dinner table with their parents. According to Rader, how can “the work” continue when it’s challenged by parents?
The real work must now be done by parents to make sure their children are getting an unbiased education.
Are parents challenging their kids’ teachers? Do they ask for lesson plans and resource materials? They should ask their child about whether they’re bullied by peers or even teachers. Are they able to speak freely in class without ridicule or being silenced? Are our children’s thoughts or opinions quashed because they’re not in line with “the work”?
Parents must be knowledgeable—they are in charge!
Mary Beeman
Guilford