No new teachers in Monte Rio sign pledge on April 21 to teach Critical Race Theory

By Wine Country Times

Apr 23, 2022

There were no new teachers in Monte Rio who signed the pledge on April 21, according to an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project.

The pledge was signed by no teachers on April 20, the day before. It now has two pledges from Monte Rio teachers.

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 Monte Rio teachers included, "public education is the cornerstone of democracy and that foundation must be built upon a solid grounding in truth and justice" and "Students deserve and want to know who they are, who we are, where we all came from, and they want to have a voice in where we are going as a society. Teaching history with its glories as well as imperfections ignites a love of learning in students and prepares them to meet the challenges they will face as adult citizens no matter where they may reside".

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 in Monte Rio who’ve pledged to teach Critical Race Theory

Teachers	Thoughts on Critical Race Theory
Mary Bracken	public education is the cornerstone of democracy and that foundation must be built upon a solid grounding in truth and justice.
Mary Bracken	Students deserve and want to know who they are, who we are, where we all came from, and they want to have a voice in where we are going as a society. Teaching history with its glories as well as imperfections ignites a love of learning in students and prepares them to meet the challenges they will face as adult citizens no matter where they may reside.