Yo, Miss! (No. 44)

My SXSW EDU Rundown

Mar 17, 2024

The other week, I attended SXSW EDU to present on our Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence/Share My Lesson panel, “Educators on the Frontlines of the Gun Violence Epidemic.” As you all know, gun violence is the leading cause of death for children in America.

Our panel of distinguished educators, activists, and union leaders explored ways we can collectively raise our voices for change. Unfortunately there is not one educator or school staff member in our country who is untouched by gun violence. From direct impact to impending fear, caring for and supporting students dealing with gun violence in their families and communities to navigating traumatic drills, we shared how our voices should and do matter. You can listen to our panel here.

It was an honor to share the stage with Jose Vilson (Teachers Unify Senior Adviser), Kiki Leyba (Teachers Unify Ambassador), and Kelly Booz (Director of Share My Lesson/AFT and Teachers Unify Board Secretary)

Another highlight was spending time with Dr. James Whitfield, Amy Donofrio, and Matt Hawn, the first three educators to get hit by the anti-democratic and anti-education “CRT” / “divisive concept” laws.

My biggest takeaway from my time spent with them is that we must continue to sound the alarm about how book bans and curriculum bans are a threat to our democracy. However, we must also emphasize that so are the ruthless and calculated attacks on educators, especially in public schools. I am going to continue to ask traditional media outlets as well as content creators to better amplify the educators - the visible ones AND invisible ones due to fear of attacks - who are having to choose between their principles and their paychecks every day doing their work as trained professionals.

Btw: If you want to help Matt Hawn go here and if you want to assist Dr. James Whitfield go here. I am still waiting for Amy Donofrio’s page but will link it here when I get it.

An attack on educators is really an attack on young people and youth rights. The parental rights movement is primarily a political grift and their real plan is to destroy public education as we know it. They have big right wing money and right wing activists behind them. Don’t let them fool you.

So, yes, book bans & curriculum bans are bad, but also don’t forget to discuss the fact that some schools haven’t had stocked libraries long before this “movement” and those same schools don’t have adequate funding. Teachers are underpaid too while also lacking resources. This was long before the push for all of these “anti-CRT” laws.

So make sure when you post about the book bans remember that another major problem is that the public schools and the teaching profession are under attack. Fewer people want to teach now. Educators’ lives are being torn apart over these insane laws. These are people who just want to be teachers & administrators. More people in education will face this sadly so please focus on that too when you post about book bans and curriculum bans.

I recommend listening to these panel discussions from SXSW EDU about this subject