WBCSD schools are worth fighting for

In the fall, 20 people who did not have children in our district signed a petition to rescind a reading curriculum that had already been approved and purchased because it had a “SEL” component.

These non-educators and non-WBCSD parents had been swayed by Heather Scott that SEL was a cover for critical race theory. Dozens of teachers, administrators, parents in our district as well as curriculum officials themselves assured them that this was not true and that part could be removed. Yet, three board members rescinded it, leaving WBCSD educators with an out-of-print curriculum.

A chain of changes in our district began that left our teachers feeling ignored, ridiculed, and disrespected. The superintendent invited these anti-education community members to our teacher workdays, we had to sit in presentations that implied that we weren’t engaging or teaching students and we were the face of an out-of-context testing smear campaign.

We show up every day despite the disrespect and the poor pay because students need us. They need champions, they need to read, write, and socialize.

I feel guilty about leaving WBCSD. Children shouldn’t have to suffer at the hands of people who don’t understand education. Now, I need to love my job again under a normal board; so I can return to this district with more tools and experience to guide more Spartans to “strive for greatness” and be a part of the conversation that makes public education better. This is my school and I will never stop fighting for it.

WHITNEY URMANN

Priest River