Florida governor Ron DeSantis is desperately trying to weaponize his state's public education system. But a rebellion is brewing. The rebellion is coming from teachers. Greg Sargent and Paul Waldman write:
By now, it’s obvious that the reactionary culture warriors who want to reshape American education are inspiring a serious liberal counter-mobilization in response. Remarkably, this backlash to the backlash is gaining momentum in some of the reddest parts of the country.
A raucous school board meeting in Hernando County, Fla., on Tuesday night captured what’s striking about this new phenomenon. The scene featured teachers pointedly declaring that right-wing attacks are driving them to quit, even as parents and students forcefully stood up on their behalf, demanding a halt to the hysteria.
“I have never seen such fear from my colleagues as I have seen in the last two months,” social studies teacher Victoria Hunt told the board.
At Tuesday’s meeting, local teacher Daniel Scott gave a moving speech, declaring that the climate of rage is driving him out of the profession.
“I don’t feel that I can adequately provide a safe environment for my students anymore,” Scott said, denouncing the “draconian working conditions that are causing many such as myself to abandon this honored career.”
Meanwhile, Alyssa Marano, a math teacher who has resigned, rejected the oft-heard charge of LGBTQ indoctrination of students. “No one is teaching your kids to be gay,” she told the room. “Sometimes, they just are gay. I have math to teach. I literally don’t have time to teach your kids to be gay.”
Nearly 50 teachers are reportedly planning to resign in this school district. Lisa Masserio, president of the teachers union in Hernando County, says state laws and directives restricting educators are a key reason. She told us: “There is increased pressure and scrutiny on an already difficult job.”
What goes around comes around.
Image: Wonderopolis
6 comments:
As Trump said, "I love the poorly educated!" And so does DeSantis, although both went to Ivies and would never waste sully themselves by having an actual conversation with the poorly educated. Once Covid was shown to affect cognition, it was let 'er rip! That'll fix them egghead libs.
It's worth noting, Cap, that DeSantis' educational "reforms" don't find their way to private schools.
Please initial your comment and I'll publish it, Anon.
Let them quit. We'll find some imbeciles who may be unqualified but like things that way.
This evolving story underscores why public education in the United States has failed, John.
I suspect privatization is behind the whole thing, e.a.f.
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