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Today’s entry: First day of school in the books. Daughter in middle school. One daughter wants to change math class because the teacher said we will not only learn math, we will talk about what’s going on in the world, like George Floyd. Her comment. Is this math? What to do?
Bottom Line: I’m sorry but not surprised to hear this. In fact, what your daughter encountered on the first day in class is precisely what I’ve been warning about throughout the summer. We’re facing an unprecedented battle for the minds of our kids as teachers' unions feel emboldened by the Biden administration to push radical agendas like Critical Race Theory. On July 12th I brought you The battle over the minds of Florida’s children is on.
As I went on to discuss, the implications here are significant. The Biden administration pledged support to the American Federation of Teachers to teach Critical Race Theory this school year. Because of that backing, the AFT subsequently encouraged its members to teach Critical Race Theory.
Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers specifically called on teachers in states like Florida, which have outlawed the teaching of CRT, to teach it anyway and they’d handle any legal implications that might come about from their doing so. As mentioned, 78% of Florida’s teachers are members of the American Federation of Teachers. Many teachers felt so emboldened that they signed a petition to teach Critical Race Theory in violation of state law.
Given that we have day one concern over the introduction of Critical Race Theory-related material, here’s a refresh on the South Florida teachers who specifically pledged to teach Critical Race Theory in violation of Florida law.
- Broward:
Matthew Gross – Coral Springs - MR Russo – Pompano Beach
- Maria Niforos – Pompano Beach
- Cecilia Campbell – Dania Beach
- Christopher Pereza– Hollywood
Miami-Dade:
Dr. Julie Hood – Miami- Laura Leigh Ramphey– Miami
- Thomas Fiori – Miami Beach
- Maria Torres – Homestead
Palm Beach:
Eric Volat– West Palm Beach- Marie Cole – North Palm Beach
- Aimee Trier – West Palm Beach
- Jason Motta – Jupiter
So, if your child is in a class with any of those teachers, you know what you can expect and should certainly have your child made aware of the possibly of inappropriate material. Of course, most teachers who intend to teach CRT in a state like Florida where it’s against the law aren’t likely to sign a pledge.
The good news in the case of the parent raising this concern in today’s Q&A is that they’ve clearly done well in raising their daughter and engaging with her education. That’s the first and most important thing that any parent can do. Actively engage with your children over their education. Ensure you’re aware of what is and isn’t being taught in the classroom and have an open line of communication with them, such that they’re comfortable talking with you about inappropriate material being introduced by activist educators.
The silver lining about the overt activism on display by the teachers unions and many of their members, is that they’re no longer attempting to mask their agenda. Leftist agendas have incrementally been introduced into our public education system starting with the creation of the Department of Education in 1980 and exacerbated by the Common Core Curriculum. Now it’s important that we turn the tables and take back the classrooms we all pay for.
Each day I feature a listener question sent by one of these methods.
Email: brianmudd@iheartmedia.com
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