Don’t Back Down | EduShyster

Don’t Back Down | EduShyster:

Don’t Back Down

 An Open Letter to TFA: Don’t Back Down in Newark

Dear Teach for America:

As an alum of your program, I like to keep apprised of your goings-on. Though we may have our differences, I always try to appreciate your bolder efforts. So I’m thrilled to see you taking a valiant stand in Newark, where the district is preparing to can over a thousand teachers without regard to seniority and in contravention of state tenure law. Remaining in a district so openly hostile to career educators must require not just millions from the Walton Family Foundation, but the bold resolve of knowing you’re part of the civil rights struggle of our generation. 

 On that note, I’m sure you know that the district’s moves will disproportionately impact teachers of color. As Rutgers professor Bruce Baker found (you follow his work I presume?), the district’s One Newark school closure/turnaround plan will almost certainly lead to a staff with fewer teachers of color. Just as the schools being impacted by One Newark enroll higher shares of black and low-income students, “teachers who Don’t Back Down | EduShyster: