Signatures
This is the list of people who have signed the pledge or petition to date.
Cassandra Belton | Columbia, MD
Its important to teach the truth; even it's painful to hear.As a first generation AfroCaribbean American woman, I pledge to teach the truth about marginalized people.
Alexandria Rigonan | Detroit, MI
Students have a desire to learn real history, and they deserve to see themselves in the curriculum!
Sally Stanhope | Brookhaven, GA
I want my students to understand that, as global citizens, they must actively demand what their families and communities need. If citizens fail to realize that it was individuals like themselves who pushed governments to expand civil rights, reduce nuclear arsenals, and support all students regardless of ability, wealth, or language, among other critical movements, they will not take on the responsibility to defend and expand these achievements.
Brian Damboise | Windsor Locks, CT
Amy Spitzer | Jamesville, NY
I will always stand up for equity and transparency. Silencing education is dangerous and we, as a country, will feel the ramifications of this long into our future.
Kelly Orr | Peaks Island, ME
My kids deserve the chance to make society more just for themselves and their fellow citizens; they cannot do that if they never have the opportunity to learn about past injustice.
Dorothy Fair | Cleveland, OH
I TEACH THE TRUTH Dorothy Fair
Kimberly Kelliher | Wolfeboro, NH
It is essential for the future of the country to learn the REAL history, though difficult, so that we can progress forward. Our students need to be informed citizens that can evaluate the actual events of our past, think critically about the impact that these events have had on the people of our country and our relationship around the world, and shape a just and inclusive society. All humans have the right to tell their story and to change that story to the untruth is an injustice to humankind.Thank you.
Kristin Teigen | Portland, OR
Wayne c jones | Palmer, AK
I’m very concerned that right wing, conservative ideologies are steering modern education at all levels and freedom of thought (at all levels) in a dystopian direction. The current US Administration is particularly frightening in its suppression efforts across many levels and agencies and its extreme fascism is directly opposed to sound honest education principles.
Christine Williams | Santa Rosa, CA
I am a Caucasian born in the US and I find it unconscionable that the government is trying to whitewash history into some bizarre type of reality. Yes, we have made mistakes, and by teaching our children those mistakes we are helping educate them and hopefully avoid doing it again."Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it" -George Santayana
Jack Vultaggio | North Conway, NH
The truth will set us free. Fight for it at all costs.
Caitlin French | Heathmont, AU
Education should be completely uncensored and everything up for discussion. That’s what makes us human! Being able to thoughtfully engage in debates, not shut people down for having ideas.
Charlotte Tanner | Ward Cove, AK
The current atmosphere is upsetting. I was raised to believe certain "truths" and they are being violated in a forceful and vigorous manner. It is frightening.
Steven Funk | Rochester, MN
Science isn't political. Religion has no place in school or in politics.
Thomas Ostheimer | Williamstown, MA
Academic freedom must be protected!!
R Kamat | Plano, TX
Tracy Medberry | Denver, CO
ASHLEY WADE | Augusta, GA
Maria Cardwell | South Sioux City, NE
my entire being screams out in anguish at the lies and atrocities being taught and told and sold in the world and I believe that knowledge is power, without knowledge we have nothing. For too long people in power behind the curtain have given their forked tongue doctrine. I know I have had past lives in ancient civilizations and I need to know the truth of it all. I know what I am asking for. I believe that this can turn into something great for when everything crumbles, those who have sought the truth and tried to teach the truth, will bring a new age of knowledge and understanding.
Gail Andrews | Overland Park, KS
READING IS KNOWLEDGE AND KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!
Beverly G Ward | Tampa, FL
I am a scientist and a person of faith. Integrity in words and actions is central to my identity.
Trebor Strong | Las Vegas, NV
Nicholas Flores | Austin, TX
Selected Pledges
Click on pledge below to read many more.
As an educator who is serious about teaching the truth I will not be bullied into silence. I will do my part in the fight for equity and equality by making sure my students are most equipped to fight this ugliness in the real world.
Yes, the truth of American history needs to be taught, but also its impact on the rest of the world, such as its role in WWII. I just finished teaching a college-level course on the Holocaust, and could not believe how little the students knew about the rest of the world’s participation in the war! They seemed to believe that WWII was ended by the US alone!
“When you begin to do things that raise the achievement of the poorest and disenfranchised students, you may not always get applause. You need to be ready for that.” Dr. Asa Hilliard
“Resistance is a powerful motivator precisely because it enables us to fulfill our longing to achieve our goals while letting us boldly recognize and name the obstacles to those achievements.”
Dr. Derrick Bell
Our young people deserve the truth and it is our kuleana (responsibility) to give space and opportunity for the truth and the difficult conversations.
If we don’t teach it all, we teach nothing…
Social justice is a major theme of my Humanities 7 course, and my school uses Dr. Gholdy Muhammad’s HILL framework (development of identity, skills, knowledge, Criticality) to frame our entire curriculum. Student agency through research work and essay writing, and action-oriented civic engagement work, define what we “cover” in my course.