Online pledge to teach controversial Critical Race Theory signed by 2 Ballston Spa teachers by week ending March 12, a rise of 2

By Saratoga Standard

Mar 17, 2022

Critical Race Theory will be taught by two more teachers in Ballston Spa, according to an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project.

No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has three pledges from Ballston Spa teachers by the end of the week ending March 12.

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 new Ballston Spa teachers included “I believe we can learn from history and do better and be better. Tough conversations are important and no teacher should be muzzled from teaching the truth.” and “Students need to understand the harsh reality of our country's history in order to fully understand the events happening around them today. Continuing to bury this history or couch much of it in a whitewashed version will not make racism and division in our country go away; it will only add to more years of ignorance, more divisiveness, and more tragedy.”.

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. Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, New Hampshire, Florida, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Tennessee have passed legislation banning discussions about the US being inherently racist.

Other states, such as Montana and Georgia, have denounced the teachings and are discussing a ban on critical race theory teachings.

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 Ballston Spa who’ve pledged to teach Critical Race Theory

Teachers	Thoughts on Critical Race Theory
Lisa Glazer	I believe that it is vital to teach our students to think critically about our complicated history and complicated present in all disciplines and all grade levels.
Kelly Connor	I believe we can learn from history and do better and be better. Tough conversations are important and no teacher should be muzzled from teaching the truth.
Kathryn Massie	Students need to understand the harsh reality of our country's history in order to fully understand the events happening around them today. Continuing to bury this history or couch much of it in a whitewashed version will not make racism and division in our country go away; it will only add to more years of ignorance, more divisiveness, and more tragedy.