No new teachers in Gloucester sign pledge on Dec. 22 to teach Critical Race Theory

By North Boston News

Dec 24, 2021

There were no new teachers in Gloucester who signed the pledge on Dec. 22, according to an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project.

The pledge was signed by no teachers on Dec. 21, the day before. It now has five pledges from Gloucester 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 Gloucester teachers included, "I am a public school teacher, and it is not only my job to teach the truth, but is what I personally believe in" and "We have an opportunity and a responsibility to teach our students about our shared American history.We have an opportunity to present a fuller, more nuanced, more accurate history of these United States.We cannot change our future until we understand our past".

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 Gloucester who’ve pledged to teach Critical Race Theory

Teachers	Thoughts on Critical Race Theory
Cynthia Mochowski	I am a public school teacher, and it is not only my job to teach the truth, but is what I personally believe in.
Cynthia Mochowski	Truth is always worth fighting for.
Heidi Wakeman	We have an opportunity and a responsibility to teach our students about our shared American history.We have an opportunity to present a fuller, more nuanced, more accurate history of these United States.We cannot change our future until we understand our past.
Michael Blakey	The truth shall set you free.
Simon Paddock	No comment