HELP WANTED: IF YOU BREATH YOU CAN TEACH!

HELP WANTED: IF YOU BREATH YOU CAN TEACH!

Attention all job seekers! Are you tired of the same old boring career paths? Do you want to try something new and exciting? Well, have we got the job for you! Introducing the wonderful world of teaching!

Yes, that's right folks, teaching! The profession that has been bashed and belittled by billionaires and privatizers for the past 30 years. But don't let that discourage you, because if you can breathe, you can teach!

According to a new report from the Learning Policy Institute, school districts across the United States are in desperate need of teachers. And when we say desperate, we mean they're hiring anyone with a pulse. The report found that the share of teachers with three or fewer years of experience has increased from 18% to 24% in the past decade. And if that's not enough to make you want to jump on board, the share of teachers with emergency permits has also increased from 4% to 7%. So basically, if you have a heartbeat and can spell your name correctly, you're hired!

But why is there such a shortage of teachers, you ask? Well, it's simple really. Low pay, high stress levels, and a lack of support for teachers are just a few of the contributing factors. And let's not forget about the pandemic, which has caused many teachers to leave the profession due to burnout or health concerns. But hey, who needs experienced and qualified teachers when you can have someone who just graduated high school teaching your kid algebra?

Now, we know what you're thinking. "But won't these inexperienced teachers be less effective in the classroom?" Well, yes. But who needs effectiveness when you can have someone who's just happy to have a job? And sure, these teachers may leave the profession within a few years, but that just means more job openings for the next round of inexperienced teachers!

But fear not, because there are solutions to this teacher shortage. We could increase teacher pay, reduce teacher workload, provide more support for teachers, and make teaching a more attractive career. Or we could just keep hiring anyone who walks through the door. It's really up to you.

And if you're still not convinced that teaching is the career for you, just think about all the wonderful benefits. You get to spend your days with kids who may or may not listen to you, deal with parents who may or may not blame you for their child's lack of success, and work for a system that may or may not value your hard work and dedication. What's not to love?

So come on down and join the wonderful world of teaching! Because if you can breathe, you can teach. And who needs experience anyway?

The State of the Teacher Workforce | Learning Policy Institute https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/state-of-teacher-workforce-interactive 

Pennsylvania school districts are hiring teachers with limited experience amid shortage, new report finds | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2023/08/09/pennsylvania-teacher-shortage-limited-experience-new-report/stories/202308080120 

THE DEFT DIVE

FROM BARD AI

A new report from the Learning Policy Institute found that school districts across the United States are increasingly hiring teachers with limited experience amid a nationwide teacher shortage. The report found that the share of teachers with three or fewer years of experience increased from 18% in the 2011-12 school year to 24% in the 2020-21 school year. The report also found that the share of teachers with emergency permits, which are temporary teaching licenses, increased from 4% to 7% during the same period.

The teacher shortage is a complex problem with many contributing factors, including low pay, high stress levels, and a lack of support for teachers. The pandemic has also exacerbated the shortage, as many teachers have left the profession due to burnout or health concerns.

The hiring of teachers with limited experience is a concern because these teachers are less likely to be effective in the classroom. They are also more likely to leave the profession within a few years, which can lead to further instability in the teaching workforce.

There are a number of things that can be done to address the teacher shortage, including:

• * Increasing teacher pay
• * Reducing teacher workload
• * Providing more support for teachers
• * Making teaching a more attractive career

The hiring of teachers with limited experience is a symptom of the teacher shortage. It is important to address the root causes of the shortage in order to ensure that all students have access to a quality education.

In addition to the above, here are some specific things that can be done to address the teacher shortage:

• * **Increase the number of teacher preparation programs:** There is a shortage of teachers in part because there are not enough teacher preparation programs. States and school districts should work to increase the number of teacher preparation programs in order to produce more teachers.
• * **Make it easier for people to become teachers:** The process of becoming a teacher can be long and expensive. States and school districts should make it easier for people to become teachers by providing financial assistance and by streamlining the application process.
• * **Attract more people to the teaching profession:** The teaching profession needs to be more attractive to people from all backgrounds. States and school districts should work to make teaching a more attractive career by providing competitive pay and benefits, and by creating a positive work environment for teachers.

By taking these steps, we can address the teacher shortage and ensure that all students have access to a quality education.

The State of the Teacher Workforce: A State-by-State Analysis of the Factors Influencing Teacher Shortages, Supply, Demand, and Equity is a report by the Learning Policy Institute that provides a comprehensive overview of the state of the teacher workforce in the United States. The report examines a wide range of factors that influence teacher shortages, including teacher pay, working conditions, school resources, teacher turnover, and teacher qualifications.

The report found that there are significant disparities in the teacher workforce across states. Some states, such as Massachusetts and New Jersey, have relatively strong teacher workforces, with high levels of teacher pay, strong working conditions, and low rates of teacher turnover. Other states, such as Oklahoma and South Carolina, have relatively weak teacher workforces, with low levels of teacher pay, poor working conditions, and high rates of teacher turnover.

The report also found that there are significant disparities in the teacher workforce within states. In some schools, teachers are well-paid and have strong working conditions. In other schools, teachers are underpaid and have poor working conditions. These disparities can have a significant impact on the quality of education that students receive.

The report concludes by calling for a number of policy changes to address the teacher shortage. These policy changes include:

• * Increasing teacher pay
• * Reducing teacher workload
• * Providing more support for teachers
• * Making teaching a more attractive career

The report also calls for states to collect more data on the teacher workforce in order to better understand the factors that influence teacher shortages and to develop effective policies to address them.

Here are some of the key findings of the report:

• * The teacher shortage is a growing problem in the United States.
• * The shortage is most severe in high-poverty schools and schools with large populations of students of color.
• * The shortage is due to a number of factors, including low pay, high stress levels, and a lack of support for teachers.
• * The shortage is having a negative impact on student learning.
• * There are a number of policy changes that can be made to address the teacher shortage.

The report is a valuable resource for policymakers, educators, and anyone who is interested in the state of the teacher workforce in the United States. It provides a comprehensive overview of the problem and a number of policy recommendations that can be used to address it.

FROM BING AI

The topic of teacher shortages and the impact of hiring teachers with limited experience. This is a complex and multifaceted issue that affects many schools and students across the country. Here are some key points from the web search results that I found:

• - According to a report by Ed Fuller, an associate professor in the Department of Education Policy Studies at Penn State’s College of Education, Pennsylvania school districts are hiring teachers with limited experience, those who are not fully certified, and others with temporary teaching permits to help ensure there are adults in the classroom throughout the school year¹².
• - The report found that 19% of high schools, 12% of middle schools, and 6% of elementary schools across the state hired out-of-field teachers, or those who are instructing a subject or grade they were not fully certified for, in the 2020-21 school year¹².
• - The report also found that students of color and students from low-income backgrounds were more likely to attend schools with higher rates of underqualified teachers, which could limit their opportunities and outcomes¹².
• - The teacher shortage in Pennsylvania is part of a larger national trend that has been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused many teachers to retire early, quit, or take leave due to health and safety concerns, burnout, stress, and attacks on honest teaching of history³⁴⁵.
• - The teacher shortage has negative effects on students, teachers, and the public education system as a whole. It can harm students' academic achievement, social-emotional development, and access to rigorous and relevant curriculum. It can also reduce teachers' effectiveness, satisfaction, and retention. Moreover, it can undermine the quality, equity, and stability of the education system⁴⁵⁶.
• - To address the teacher shortage, experts and advocates recommend a range of short-term and long-term solutions that focus on both recruitment and retention of qualified and diverse teachers. Some of these solutions include: increasing teacher pay and school funding; improving working conditions and professional support; providing targeted incentives and scholarships for teaching in high-need areas; expanding teacher preparation programs and pathways; strengthening mentoring and induction programs; enhancing teacher diversity and cultural competence; and engaging educators in decision-making and policy-making⁴⁵⁶⁷⁸.

Bing, 8/10/2023

(1) Pennsylvania school districts are hiring teachers with limited .... https://districtadministration.com/pennsylvania-school-districts-are-hiring-teachers-with-limited-experience-amid-shortage-new-report-finds/.

(2) Pennsylvania school districts are hiring teachers with limited .... https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2023/08/09/pennsylvania-teacher-shortage-limited-experience-new-report/stories/202308080120.

(3) Colorado school districts are hiring teachers to start work before they .... https://coloradosun.com/2022/04/07/colorado-education-schools-teacher-shortages-teacher-preparation-programs/.

(4) The teacher shortage is real and has serious consequences. https://www.epi.org/publication/the-teacher-shortage-is-real-large-and-growing-and-worse-than-we-thought-the-first-report-in-the-perfect-storm-in-the-teacher-labor-market-series/.

(5) What's behind the teacher shortage in US schools? - Phys.org. https://phys.org/news/2022-09-teacher-shortage-schools.html.

(6) Causes And Effects Of Teacher Shortage - 865 Words | Bartleby. https://www.bartleby.com/essay/Causes-And-Effects-Of-Teacher-Shortage-PJWXLMK54WR.

(7) A Look at Solutions to Teacher Shortages | UWA Online. https://online.uwa.edu/news/teacher-shortages/.

(8) The Teacher Shortage Is Real and about to Get Much Worse. Here's Why. https://fee.org/articles/the-teacher-shortage-is-real-and-about-to-get-much-worse-heres-why/.

(9) Addressing Teacher Shortages in the Short- & Long-Term. https://edtrust.org/resource/addressing-teacher-shortages-in-the-short-long-term/.

(10) Solving Educator Shortages by Making Public Education an ... - NEA. https://www.nea.org/resource-library/solving-educator-shortages-making-public-education-attractive-and-competitive-career-path.

(11) How to Solve the Teacher Shortage (3 Possible Solutions). https://mrstockford.com/how-to-solve-the-teacher-shortage/.

(12) Tackling Teacher Shortages: What Can States and Districts Do?. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/blog/teacher-shortage-what-can-states-and-districts-do.

The topic of the state of the teacher workforce in the United States. This is an important and timely issue that affects the quality and equity of education for millions of students. Here are some key points from the web search results that I found:

• - The Learning Policy Institute (LPI) is a nonprofit organization that conducts and communicates independent, high-quality research to improve education policy and practice¹²³. One of their main areas of focus is the teacher workforce, which they examine through various indicators of teacher supply, demand, shortages, and equity across states².
• - The LPI has created an interactive state-by-state map that highlights key factors that reflect and influence the supply and demand for teachers in each state, including conditions of teachers’ work and equitable access to qualified teachers². The map includes more than 40 indicators describing teaching conditions for the more than 3 million public school teachers in the United States. They can be used to inform policy strategies addressing shortages and ensuring equitable access to qualified and diverse teachers².
• - The map also assigns each state two ratings: a teaching attractiveness rating and a teacher equity rating. The teaching attractiveness rating builds on measures of teacher compensation, working conditions, school resources, qualifications, and teacher turnover to indicate how supportive each state appears to be of teacher recruitment and retention. The teacher equity rating indicates the extent to which students have equitable access to a well-qualified teaching workforce within a given state based on school composition of student race/ethnicity and family income².
• - Based on these ratings, the map shows that teaching conditions vary substantially across states, as do teacher supply and turnover. Generally speaking, teaching conditions in northeastern states—like Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey—rank in the top tier. In these states, salaries are more competitive and working conditions are more supportive, based on teachers’ views of their schools¹. On the other hand, teaching conditions in southern and western states—like Mississippi, Alabama, Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii—rank in the bottom tier. In these states, salaries are less competitive and working conditions are less supportive¹.
• - The map also shows that students of color and students from low-income backgrounds are more likely to attend schools with higher rates of underqualified teachers, which could limit their opportunities and outcomes. For example, in California, 62% of students in high-poverty schools are taught by uncertified or out-of-field teachers, compared to 25% of students in low-poverty schools². Similarly, in Texas, 47% of students in high-minority schools are taught by uncertified or out-of-field teachers, compared to 18% of students in low-minority schools².
• - The LPI also provides a technical supplement that summarizes additional factors influencing teacher supply and demand, such as information about the teacher pipeline, current teacher workforce, student enrollment, and teacher financial strain. The supplement also includes state-reported data on teaching positions left vacant or filled by teachers without full certification—key indicators of the extent of shortages².
• - The LPI's research on the state of the teacher workforce is based on a larger national study that they conducted in 2016, titled A Coming Crisis in Teaching? Teacher Supply, Demand, and Shortages in the U.S.³. This study examined the causes and consequences of the emerging teacher shortage at the national level and projected future trends based on various scenarios. The study found that four main factors were driving the shortage: a decline in teacher preparation enrollments, district efforts to return to pre-recession pupil-teacher ratios, increasing student enrollment, and high teacher attrition³.
• - The study also found that the shortage was not evenly distributed across subjects or regions. Some subjects—such as mathematics, science, special education, English language development, and foreign languages—had chronic shortages for decades. Some regions—such as urban and rural areas—also faced greater challenges in attracting and retaining qualified teachers. Moreover, the study found that the shortage was likely to grow worse over time unless policy actions were taken to address it³.

 Bing, 8/10/2023

(1) Tracking the State of the Teacher Workforce Across States. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/blog/tracking-state-teacher-workforce-across-states.

(2) The State of the Teacher Workforce | Learning Policy Institute. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/state-of-teacher-workforce-interactive.

(3) A Coming Crisis in Teaching? Teacher Supply, Demand, and Shortages in .... https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/coming-crisis-teaching.

BREAKING NEWS SCHOOL REQUIRED TO OUT YOU FOR CHANGING GENDER IDENTITY

 

BREAKING NEWS SCHOOL REQUIRED TO OUT YOU FOR CHANGING GENDER IDENTITY

In a shocking turn of events, schools across the United States are now required to notify parents if their child decides to change their gender identity. That's right, folks, the days of keeping your gender transition a secret from your parents are over. It's time to come out of the closet and into the open arms of your loving family...or not.

The new policies, dubbed "parental notification" or "parental rights" laws, have sparked a heated debate among educators, parents, and students alike. Supporters argue that parents have the right to know about their child's medical care, including any decisions about gender identity. Opponents, on the other hand, claim that these laws violate the privacy rights of transgender youth and put them at risk of discrimination and violence.

So, what's a transgender student to do in this brave new world? Well, fear not my gender-bending friends, because I've got some tips and tricks to help you navigate this tricky terrain with a smile on your face (and maybe a little sass in your step).

First and foremost, let's address the elephant in the room: coming out to your parents can be scary as hell. But don't worry, you're not alone. There are plenty of resources available to help you through this process, from support groups to online forums to trusted friends and family members. And remember, you don't have to do this alone. Seek out allies and advocates who can help you navigate this new terrain.

Now, let's talk about some of the practicalities of this new policy. If your school is now required to notify your parents of your gender transition, there are a few things you can do to make this process as smooth as possible. For starters, be prepared to have some tough conversations with your parents. They may not understand or accept your decision at first, but with time and patience, they may come around.

You can also work with your school to ensure that they are creating a safe and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their gender identity. This means creating policies and procedures that protect transgender students from discrimination and harassment, providing training for staff on how to interact with transgender students in a respectful and affirming way, and allowing transgender students to use the restrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their gender identity.

And don't forget to have a little fun along the way. Embrace your new identity with pride and confidence. Experiment with different styles and looks that make you feel comfortable and confident in your own skin. And remember, you are not defined by your gender identity. You are a unique and valuable individual who deserves love and respect, no matter what.

So, there you have it folks. The times they are a-changin', but that doesn't mean we can't have a little fun along the way. Embrace your true self, stand tall and proud, and know that you are loved and supported by a community of fellow gender warriors who have your back.

Kern County education board meeting sparks intense debate over potential gender identification policy | KBAK https://bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/kern-county-education-board-meeting-sparks-intense-debate-over-potential-gender-identification-policy 

California school board president attacks AG probe into parental rights policy on gender identity: 'Blackmail' | Fox News https://www.foxnews.com/media/california-school-board-president-attacks-ag-probe-parental-rights-policy-blackmail 

Contentious Kern Superintendent of Schools meeting over gender identity policy https://www.kget.com/news/local-news/kern-county-board-of-education-to-discuss-notification-policy/ 

Big Education Ape: TRANS PEOPLE JUST WANT TO TO BE FREE TO BE ME AND PEE http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/08/trans-people-just-want-to-to-be-free-to.html 

Big Education Ape: A GREAT DAY TO BE GAY IN CALIFORNIA OR NOT http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/08/a-great-day-to-be-gay-in-california-or.html 

THE DEFT DIVE

FROM BARD AI

There are a number of states that have passed or are considering passing policies that require teachers and staff to tell parents if their child decides to change their gender identity from the one assigned to them at birth. These policies are often referred to as "parental notification" or "parental rights" laws.

The rationale for these laws is that parents have a right to know about their child's medical care, including any decisions about gender identity. Proponents of these laws argue that parents need to be involved in their child's gender transition process in order to provide support and guidance. They also argue that parents have a right to make decisions about their child's education, and that this includes decisions about what information their child is exposed to.

Opponents of these laws argue that they violate the privacy rights of transgender youth. They argue that transgender youth are already at risk of discrimination and violence, and that these laws will make them even more vulnerable. They also argue that these laws will discourage transgender youth from coming out to their parents, which can have serious negative consequences for their mental and emotional health.

The debate over parental notification laws is likely to continue for some time. There is no easy answer to the question of whether or not these laws are in the best interests of transgender youth. However, it is important to consider the potential harms of these laws before they are implemented.

Here are some of the arguments for and against parental notification laws:

• **Arguments for parental notification laws:**
• * Parents have a right to know about their child's medical care, including any decisions about gender identity.
• * Parents need to be involved in their child's gender transition process in order to provide support and guidance.
• * Parents have a right to make decisions about their child's education, and this includes decisions about what information their child is exposed to.
• **Arguments against parental notification laws:**

• * These laws violate the privacy rights of transgender youth.
• * Transgender youth are already at risk of discrimination and violence, and these laws will make them even more vulnerable.
• * These laws will discourage transgender youth from coming out to their parents, which can have serious negative consequences for their mental and emotional health.

It is important to note that there is no consensus on the effectiveness of parental notification laws. Some studies have found that these laws can lead to increased parental involvement in the gender transition process, while other studies have found that they can have the opposite effect. More research is needed to determine the true impact of these laws.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to support parental notification laws is a complex one. There are valid arguments on both sides of the issue. It is important to weigh the potential harms and benefits of these laws before making a decision.

Schools can support transgender students in a number of ways, including:

• * **Creating a safe and inclusive environment:** Schools should create a safe and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their gender identity. This means creating policies and procedures that protect transgender students from discrimination and harassment. It also means providing training for staff on how to interact with transgender students in a respectful and affirming way.
• * **Using the correct pronouns and names:** Schools should use the correct pronouns and names for transgender students. This may seem like a small thing, but it can make a big difference in the lives of transgender students. It shows that the school respects and accepts them for who they are.
• * **Allowing transgender students to use the restrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their gender identity:** Schools should allow transgender students to use the restrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their gender identity. This is important for the safety and privacy of transgender students.
• * **Providing transgender students with access to gender-affirming care:** Schools should provide transgender students with access to gender-affirming care, such as hormone therapy and surgery. This care can help transgender students feel more comfortable in their own bodies and can improve their mental and emotional health.
• * **Creating a gender-neutral option for school records:** Schools should create a gender-neutral option for school records. This allows transgender students to have their records reflect their gender identity.
• * **Providing transgender students with support groups and resources:** Schools should provide transgender students with support groups and resources. This can help transgender students connect with other transgender people and learn about their rights.

By taking these steps, schools can create a safe and supportive environment for transgender students. This can help transgender students thrive in school and in life.

In addition to the above, here are some specific things that schools can do to support transgender students:

• * **Train staff on transgender issues:** Schools should provide training for staff on transgender issues. This training should cover topics such as the basics of transgender identity, the importance of using correct pronouns and names, and how to create a safe and inclusive environment for transgender students.
• * **Create a transgender student support plan:** Schools should create a transgender student support plan. This plan should outline the specific steps that the school will take to support transgender students. It should also include a list of resources that are available to transgender students.
• * **Reach out to transgender student organizations:** Schools should reach out to transgender student organizations. These organizations can provide valuable information and resources to the school. They can also help the school to connect with transgender students and to learn more about their needs.
• * **Be responsive to transgender students' concerns:** Schools should be responsive to transgender students' concerns. If a transgender student has a problem, the school should take it seriously and work to resolve it.
• * **Celebrate transgender identities:** Schools should celebrate transgender identities. This can be done by hosting events that highlight the contributions of transgender people, or by creating a space for transgender students to share their stories.

By taking these steps, schools can show transgender students that they are welcome and supported. This can make a real difference in the lives of transgender students.

FROM BING AI

Policies that require teachers and staff to tell parents if their child decides to change their gender identity from the one assigned to them at birth:

• - According to a guide for transgender and gender nonconforming students by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and GLSEN, public schools are legally required to protect all students from harassment and discrimination based on gender identity and expression¹. The guide also states that students have the right to be themselves in school, which includes their choice of name, pronouns, clothing, and prom date¹. However, the guide does not mention any specific policy regarding parental notification or consent for students who decide to change their gender identity.
• - Some schools in the United States, such as Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia and Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland, have adopted policies that bar teachers from "outing" transgender students to parents without the students' permission². These policies are meant to guard students against parents who may not be supportive of their child's transition². However, some legal experts have argued that these policies violate the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, which gives parents the right to access their child's educational records². They also claim that these policies infringe on the parental authority protected by the 14th Amendment².
• - On the other hand, some states have proposed or enacted legislation that would require schools to inform parents if their child exhibits any signs of gender dysphoria or nonconformity. For example, a bill introduced in North Carolina in April 2021 would mandate school employees to report to parents in writing if their child is expressing a gender identity different from their biological sex³. Similarly, a policy in Washington state requires teachers to conceal students' gender transitions from parents unless the student gives the green light for their parents to know⁴.

As you can see, there is no uniform policy across the United States regarding parental involvement in students' gender identity decisions. The issue is complex and controversial, and different stakeholders may have different opinions and concerns. 

Bing, 8/10/2023

(1) A Guide for Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students. https://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/2020-06/Know%20Your%20Rights_0.pdf.

(2) Some Schools Won't Tell Parents When Their Kids Express Gender .... https://freebeacon.com/campus/some-schools-wont-tell-parents-when-their-kids-express-gender-confusion-experts-say-thats-illegal/.

(3) New NC bill would require schools to tell parents if a child ‘exhibits .... https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/equality/546995-new-nc-bill-would-require-schools-to-tell-parents-if-a/.

(4) Washington State Tells Teachers To Hide Student Gender Transitions From .... https://www.dailywire.com/news/washington-state-tells-teachers-to-hide-student-gender-transitions-from-parents.

Schools can support transgender students in various ways, such as:

• - Using welcoming and inclusive language in school, district, college, and university mission statements, such as a commitment to ensuring a safe and supportive campus that is free from discrimination and harassment for LGBTQ+ students¹.
• - Ensuring that school policies clearly affirm students’ right to be free from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in all aspects of school, including the nondiscriminatory use of discipline and equal access to school programs and activities¹.
• - Adopting policies that respect all students’ gender identities—such as the use the name a student goes by, which may be different from their legal name, and pronouns that reflect a student’s gender identity—and implementing policies to safeguard students’ privacy—such as maintaining the confidentiality of a student’s birth name or sex assigned at birth if the student wishes to keep this information private, unless the disclosure is legally required¹².
• - Adopting policies or model plans to guide school staff on how to support students and communicate with families, such as developmentally appropriate protocols to support students in any transition process, and a checklist of issues to discuss with the student or their family¹.
• - Allowing transgender students to use restrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity³.
• - Addressing transgender students with their preferred name and using pronouns that correspond with their gender identity³.
• - Protecting transgender students from harassment and bullying, and providing them with counseling and support services if needed³.
• - Allowing transgender students to start a support club or join an existing one, such as a Gay-Straight Alliance or a Gender-Sexuality Alliance³.
• - Avoiding taking attendance aloud until you have given students a chance to contact you with their correct names in case different names appear on the roster⁵.
• - Providing professional development and training for teachers and staff on how to create an inclusive and respectful learning environment for transgender students²⁴.

Bing, 8/10/2023

(1) U.S Department of Education Supporting Transgender Youth in School (PDF). https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/ed-factsheet-transgender-202106.pdf.

(2) Supporting Transgender and Gender Diverse Students in Schools. https://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/programs/safe-supportive/lgbt/school-administrators.pdf.

(3) Understanding Transgender Students - National School Boards Association. https://www.nsba.org/ASBJ/Past-Issues/June/Understanding-transgender-students.

(4) Supporting Transgender Students in the Classroom - Faculty Focus. https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/effective-classroom-management/supporting-transgender-students-classroom/.

(5) Taking Steps to Support Transgender Students and School Communities - NAIS. https://www.nais.org/learn/independent-ideas/november-2016/taking-steps-to-support-transgender-students-and-s/.

FLORIDA ED COMMISH MANNY DIAZ JR, CHICKEN OR JUST CHICKEN POO

FLORIDA ED COMMISH MANNY DIAZ JR, CHICKEN OR JUST CHICKEN POO

In a recent turn of events, Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. pulled out of a town hall meeting in Miami Gardens to discuss the state's new standards for teaching Black history. Some speculate that Diaz is a chicken, while others argue that he's just chicken poo.

The town hall was organized by State Sen. Shevrin Jones, who is the first openly gay African American state senator in Florida. Diaz's decision to pull out of the town hall came amid widespread criticism of the state's new Black history standards. The standards have been accused of watering down the teaching of Black history and of downplaying the role of slavery and racism in American history.

In a statement, Jones said that Diaz's decision to pull out of the town hall was "deeply disappointing." He said that Diaz "lacks the will and courage to defend his Department's misguided curriculum changes." Ouch, that must have stung like a bee.

Diaz defended his decision to pull out of the town hall, saying that he had a scheduling conflict. Yeah right, we believe you Manny. He also said that he had already met with Jones and other stakeholders to discuss the new Black history standards. But let's be real, meeting behind closed doors is not the same as facing the public.

However, many people believe that Diaz's decision to pull out of the town hall was a sign that he is afraid to defend the new standards. They argue that the standards are an attempt to whitewash history and that Diaz is not willing to face the public criticism of them. We're starting to think that maybe Diaz is just a big ol' chicken.

The controversy over the new Black history standards is just the latest in a series of battles over race and education in Florida. In recent years, the state has passed laws that restrict the teaching of critical race theory and that make it more difficult for students to learn about systemic racism. It seems like Florida just can't get it together when it comes to educating their youth on important issues.

The controversy over the new Black history standards is likely to continue in the coming months. It is a reminder of the deep divisions that exist over race and education in Florida. But hey, at least we can all agree on one thing: Manny Diaz Jr. is a chicken. Or maybe just chicken poo. Either way, he's not exactly winning any bravery awards anytime soon.

In conclusion, it's time for Florida to step up and do better when it comes to educating their students on important issues like Black history and systemic racism. And it's time for Manny Diaz Jr. to stop being a chicken and face the public criticism head-on. Until then, we'll just be over here making chicken jokes. Sorry, not sorry Manny.

State Education Secretary Diaz pulled out of Miami Gardens town hall - CBS Miami https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/video/state-education-secretary-diaz-pulled-out-of-miami-gardens-town-hall/ 

Florida education commissioner pulls out of Black history panel | Miami Herald https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/education/article278114292.html 

Florida education commissioner pulls out of Miami Gardens town hall on Black History in education https://www.local10.com/news/local/2023/08/10/florida-education-commissioner-pulls-out-of-miami-gardens-town-hall-on-black-history-in-education/

THE DEFT DIVE

FROM BARD AI

On August 9, 2023, Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. pulled out of a town hall meeting in Miami Gardens to discuss the state's new standards for teaching Black history. The town hall was organized by State Sen. Shevrin Jones, who is the first openly gay African American state senator in Florida.

Diaz's decision to pull out of the town hall came amid widespread criticism of the state's new Black history standards. The standards have been accused of watering down the teaching of Black history and of downplaying the role of slavery and racism in American history.

In a statement, Jones said that Diaz's decision to pull out of the town hall was "deeply disappointing." He said that Diaz "lacks the will and courage to defend his Department's misguided curriculum changes."

Diaz defended his decision to pull out of the town hall, saying that he had a scheduling conflict. He also said that he had already met with Jones and other stakeholders to discuss the new Black history standards.

However, many people believe that Diaz's decision to pull out of the town hall was a sign that he is afraid to defend the new standards. They argue that the standards are an attempt to whitewash history and that Diaz is not willing to face the public criticism of them.

The controversy over the new Black history standards is just the latest in a series of battles over race and education in Florida. In recent years, the state has passed laws that restrict the teaching of critical race theory and that make it more difficult for students to learn about systemic racism.

The controversy over the new Black history standards is likely to continue in the coming months. It is a reminder of the deep divisions that exist over race and education in Florida.

FROM BING AI

Florida education commissioner pulling out of Black history town hall in Miami Gardens. Here is a summary of what I found from various sources:

• - The town hall was organized by State Sen. Shevrin Jones, State Sen. Rosalind Osgood, and Miami-Dade School Board member Steve Gallon III to discuss the state's new standards for teaching Black history in Florida public schools¹²³.
• - The new standards, which were approved by the Florida Board of Education in June 2023, have been criticized for suggesting that enslaved people benefited from their bondage, equating racial violence and Black resistance, and minimizing the uniqueness of American slavery¹⁴.
• - Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr., who was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022, was expected to attend the town hall and defend the new standards, but he canceled his participation on Wednesday, August 9, 2023¹²³.
• - Diaz said he had to visit schools throughout the state to welcome back students, parents and teachers for the first day of school, but Jones said he was disappointed that Diaz lacked the will and courage to face the community¹²³.
• - The town hall was held on Thursday, August 10, 2023 at Antioch Baptist Church in Miami Gardens, one of the largest Black cities in the state, and more than 1,000 people had signed up for the event¹²³.
• - The organizers and attendees of the town hall expressed their frustration and anger over the new standards and Diaz's absence, and called for more input and transparency from the state on how Black history is taught in schools¹²³.

Bing, 8/10/2023

(1) Florida education commissioner pulls out of Black history town hall in .... https://news.yahoo.com/florida-education-commissioner-pulls-black-230537113.html.

(2) Florida education commissioner pulls out of Miami Gardens town hall on .... https://www.local10.com/news/local/2023/08/10/florida-education-commissioner-pulls-out-of-miami-gardens-town-hall-on-black-history-in-education/.

(3) Education Commissioner pulls out of town hall on Black history .... https://floridapolitics.com/archives/628052-education-commissioner-pulls-out-of-town-hall-on-black-history-education-standards/.

(4) Florida Explains Why It Blocked Black History Class—and It’s a Doozy. https://www.thedailybeast.com/florida-department-of-education-gives-bizarre-reasoning-for-banning-ap-african-american-history.

(5) FL: Education Commissioner pulls out of town hall on Black history .... https://democraticunderground.com/100218168742.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOUR SUGAR DADDY TOOK YOU ON A VACA? AND OTHER MUSINGS ON THE ROBERTS COURT

 

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOUR SUGAR DADDY TOOK YOU ON A VACA? 

AND OTHER MUSINGS ON THE ROBERTS COURT

Well, well, well. It seems like the Roberts Court is quite the group of kept men, doesn't it? I mean, how else can you explain Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas having so many sugar daddies? The man has been showered with gifts from billionaires and corporate executives, including destination vacations, private jet flights, VIP passes to sporting events, and even a standing invitation to an uber-exclusive golf club. I don't know about you, but my sugar daddy has never even offered to take me on a weekend getaway, let alone a private jet flight.

But seriously, what is going on with the Roberts Court? Are they conservative justices or just a bunch of kept men? According to a report by ProPublica, the corruption stench runs deep in this bunch. It seems that being friends with billionaires is quite profitable, as they can do their bidding and get away with it. The report highlights that the court has been billionaire and corporate friendly with such right-wing rulings as controlling the political process to benefit conservatives.

Of the Roberts Court's 73 partisan 5-4 cases, 13 put a thumb on the scale to favor Republicans at the ballot box. They did this by facilitating the flood of dark and corporate money into the political process, by restricting the ability of citizens to vote or have their votes matter, or by working to undermine labor unions, a traditional base of Democratic support. It's almost like they're trying to rig the system in favor of their billionaire buddies.

Four of these 13 cases - FEC v. Wisconsin Right to Life, Davis v. FEC, Citizens United v. FEC, and McCutcheon v. FEC - systemically decimated both the historic Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (also known as McCain-Feingold or BCRA) and prior Court precedents limiting corporate spending in elections. BCRA was a bipartisan effort by legislators solving problems pragmatically, based on their own experiences as candidates.

The first challenge to BCRA to make it to the Supreme Court, McConnell v. FEC, upheld the main provisions of the law - restrictions on soft money and issue ads - deferring largely to congressional findings. Subsequent BCRA challenges were more successful. What changed? Not the law or the facts, but the composition of the Court: Justice O'Connor, who was the last justice to have any experience running for public office and, therefore, any firsthand knowledge of the effects of money on electoral politics, was replaced by Justice Alito. In short order, out went the ban on issue ads (Wisconsin Right to Life), disclosure requirements for self-funding candidates (Davis), corporate spending (Citizens United), and aggregate contributions limits (McCutcheon). Along the way, the Court, by bare partisan majorities, also knocked out two sensible state-law campaign finance laws in Arizona and Montana.

So what was the quid pro quo for all these gifts and favors? It's hard to say for sure, but it's clear that being friends with billionaires has its perks. And while some of the hospitality, such as stays in personal homes, may not have required disclosure, Thomas appears to have violated the law by not disclosing others.

But let's not get too bogged down in all this corruption talk. Let's get back to the real question at hand: when was the last time your sugar daddy took you on a vacation? I mean, Clarence Thomas has been on at least 38 destination vacations since joining the court in 1991. That's almost two vacations a year! And let's not forget about those private jet flights and VIP passes to sporting events. It's almost like he's living a life of luxury that most of us can only dream of.

In all seriousness though, it's troubling to see the influence that billionaires and corporate executives have over our government and our courts. It's clear that we need to do more to rein in their power and ensure that our democracy works for all people, not just those with deep pockets.

So let's keep fighting for a more just and equitable society. And if you happen to have a sugar daddy who wants to take you on a vacation, well, more power to you. Just make sure he's not violating any laws while he's at it.

THE DEFT DIVE

FROM PROPUBLICA

Clarence Thomas’ 38 Vacations: The Other Billionaires Who Have Treated the Supreme Court Justice to Luxury Travel

by Brett Murphy and Alex Mierjeski

ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.

Series: Friends of the Court:SCOTUS Justices’ Beneficial Relationships With Billionaire Donors

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ decadeslong friendship with real estate tycoon Harlan Crow and Samuel Alito’s luxury travel with billionaire Paul Singer have raised questions about influence and ethics at the nation's highest court.

During his three decades on the Supreme Court, Clarence Thomas has enjoyed steady access to a lifestyle most Americans can only imagine. A cadre of industry titans and ultrawealthy executives have treated him to far-flung vacations aboard their yachts, ushered him into the premium suites at sporting events and sent their private jets to fetch him — including, on more than one occasion, an entire 737. It’s a stream of luxury that is both more extensive and from a wider circle than has been previously understood.

Like clockwork, Thomas’ leisure activities have been underwritten by benefactors who share the ideology that drives his jurisprudence. Their gifts include:

At least 38 destination vacations, including a previously unreported voyage on a yacht around the Bahamas; 26 private jet flights, plus an additional eight by helicopter; a dozen VIP passes to professional and college sporting events, typically perched in the skybox; two stays at luxury resorts in Florida and Jamaica; and one standing invitation to an uber-exclusive golf club overlooking the Atlantic coast.

This accounting of Thomas’ travel, revealed for the first time here from an array of previously unavailable information, is the fullest to date of the generosity that has regularly afforded Thomas a lifestyle far beyond what his income could provide. And it is almost certainly an undercount.

While some of the hospitality, such as stays in personal homes, may not have required disclosure, Thomas appears to have violated the law by failing to disclose flights, yacht cruises and expensive sports tickets, according to ethics experts.

Perhaps even more significant, the pattern exposes consistent violations of judicial norms, experts, including seven current and former federal judges appointed by both parties, told ProPublica. “In my career I don’t remember ever seeing this degree of largesse given to anybody,” said Jeremy Fogel, a former federal judge who served for years on the judicial committee that reviews judges’ financial disclosures. “I think it’s unprecedented.”

This year, ProPublica revealed Texas real estate billionaire Harlan Crow’s generosity toward Thomas, including vacations, private jet flights, gifts, the purchase of his mother’s house in Georgia and tuition payments. In an April statement, the justice defended his relationship with Crow. The Crows “are among our dearest friends,” Thomas said. “As friends do, we have joined them on a number of family trips.”

The New York Times recently surfaced VIP treatment from wealthy businessmen he met through the Horatio Alger Association, an exclusive nonprofit. Among them were David Sokol, a former top executive at Berkshire Hathaway, and H. Wayne Huizenga, a billionaire who turned Blockbuster and Waste Management into national goliaths. (The Times noted Thomas gives access to the Supreme Court building for Horatio Alger events; ProPublica confirmed that the access has cost $1,500 or more in donations per person.)

Records and interviews show Thomas had another benefactor, oil baron Paul “Tony” Novelly, whose gifts to the justice have not previously been reported. ProPublica’s totals in this article include trips from Crow.

Each of these men — Novelly, Huizenga, Sokol and Crow — appears to have first met Thomas after he ascended to the Supreme Court. With the exception of Crow, their names are nowhere in Thomas’ financial disclosures, where justices are required by law to publicly report most gifts.

The total value of the undisclosed trips they’ve given Thomas since 1991, the year he was appointed to the Supreme Court, is difficult to measure. But it’s likely in the millions.

Huizenga sent his personal 737 to pick Thomas up and bring him to South Florida at least twice, according to John Wener, a former flight attendant and chef on board the plane. If he were picked up in D.C., the five-hour round trip would have cost at least $130,000 each time had Thomas chartered the jet himself, according to estimates from jet charter companies. In February 2016, Thomas flew on Crow’s private jet from Washington to New Haven, Connecticut, before heading back on the jet just three hours later. ProPublica previously reported the flight, but newly obtained U.S. Marshals Service records reveal its purpose: Thomas met with several Yale Law School deans for a tour of the room where they planned to display a portrait of the justice. (Crow’s foundation also gave the school $105,000, earmarked for the “Justice Thomas Portrait Fund,” tax filings show.)

Don Fox, the former general counsel of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics and the senior ethics official in the executive branch, said, “It’s just the height of hypocrisy to wear the robes and live the lifestyle of a billionaire.” Taxpayers, he added, have the right to expect that Supreme Court justices are not living on the dime of others.

Fox, who worked under both Democrat and Republican administrations, said he advised every new political appointee the same thing: Your wealthy friends are the ones you had before you were appointed. “You don’t get to acquire any new ones,” he told them.

Thomas and Novelly did not respond to a detailed list of questions for this story. Huizenga died in 2018 and his son, who is the president of the family’s holding company, also did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

In a statement to ProPublica, Sokol said he’s been close friends with the Thomases for 21 years and acknowledged traveling with and occasionally hosting them. He defended the justice as upright and ethical. “We have never once discussed any pending court matter,” Sokol said. “Our conversations have always revolved around helping young people, sports, and family matters.”

“As to the use of private aviation,” he added, “I believe that given security concerns all of the Supreme Court justices should either fly privately or on governmental aircraft.”

The justices have said they follow court rules prohibiting them from accepting gifts from a group of people so frequently that “a reasonable person would believe that the public office is being used for private gain.” But what actually constitutes a gift under those rules is ambiguous and, in practice, justices have few restrictions on what they can accept. Other members of the court have accepted travel underwritten by wealthy businessmen and speaking invitations at universities. Stephen Breyer accepted a flight to a Nantucket wedding from a Democratic megadonor. Ruth Bader Ginsburg took a tour of Israel and Jordan paid for by an Israeli billionaire. Those gifts are public because Breyer and Ginsburg disclosed them.

Thomas, however, is apparently an extreme outlier for the volume and frequency of all the undisclosed vacations he’s received. He once complained that he sacrificed wealth to sit on the court, though he depicted the choice as a matter of conscience. “The job is not worth doing for what they pay,” he told the bar association in Savannah, Georgia, in 2001, “but it is worth doing for the principle.”

To track Thomas’ relationships and travel, ProPublica examined flight data, emails from airport and university officials, security detail records, tax court filings, meeting minutes and a trove of photographs from personal albums, including cards that Thomas’ wife, Ginni, sent to friends. In addition, reporters interviewed more than 100 eyewitnesses and other sources: jet and helicopter pilots, flight attendants, airport workers, yacht crew members, security guards, photographers, waitresses, caterers, chefs, drivers, river rafting guides and C-suite executives.

ProPublica has not identified any legal cases that Huizenga, Sokol or Novelly had at the Supreme Court during their documented relationships with Thomas, although they all work in industries significantly impacted by the court’s decisions.

In a small-circulation biography given to Huizenga’s friends and family, Thomas acknowledged that he and Huizenga discussed some of the billionaire’s companies but said their relationship was never transactional. “It wasn’t that kind of friendship,” he told the interviewer. The justice said they’d prefer to go to a small restaurant in a strip mall or sit on the billionaire’s lawn and drink tea or diet soda.

“We are in a society where everything is quid pro quo,” Thomas said, but not with the Huizengas. “I don’t do anything for them and they can’t do anything for me.”

“Four Lucky Couples”

On Labor Day weekend 2019, Thomas boarded a private plane in Washington, D.C., for the first leg of a sojourn out West. The vacation had been months in the making and, thanks to Sokol, it was all taken care of. He’s hosted the Thomases virtually every summer for a decade.

The first stop was the Great Plains. It was the home opener at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which Ginni Thomas had attended before transferring. The Thomases were joined there by other couples, including one of the justice’s most vocal advocates, Mark Paoletta, who then worked for the federal government, and his wife.

Sokol, a major university donor who graduated from the Omaha campus, arranged for the group to attend the football and volleyball games with all-access passes. Clarence Thomas met with the football team the day before the game. The group walked out of the tunnel before kickoff. During halftime, they stood on the sidelines to watch the marching band perform, at one point posing for a picture in the end zone: “The Sokols took four lucky couples to the first Nebraska footbal game of the season,” Ginni Thomas wrote in one of the card captions.

Sokol runs a private equity firm and now also chairs a holding company that owns large international shipping and power utility corporations. He resigned from Berkshire Hathaway in 2011 amid an internal investigation by the company that found he had violated its insider trading policy. (At the time, Sokol denied wrongdoing and said his resignation was unrelated to the episode; he was never indicted.)

That Saturday, the group watched both the football and volleyball games from luxury suites. The football skybox, which typically costs $40,000 annually, belonged to Tom Osborne, a former Republican congressman who was also the head coach of the team for 25 years. Hosting the Thomases had ripple effects. A local priest requested a ticket for his 87-year-old mother, but the volleyball coach had to tell him none was available. “All of our tickets have been taken for Clarence Thomas and his group,” the coach wrote.

The Thomases have been treated to at least seven University of Nebraska-Lincoln games — five arranged by Sokol — in recent years. The Times first reported on Thomas’ appearances at some of them.

Thomas has never reported any of those tickets on his yearly financial forms. Judiciary disclosure rules require that most gifts worth more than $415 be disclosed. “It’s so obvious,” said Richard Painter, former chief White House ethics lawyer for President George W. Bush. “It all has to be reported.” ProPublica identified more than 60 federal judges who disclosed tickets to sporting events between 2003 and 2019. In 1999, Thomas disclosed private flight and accommodations for the Daytona 500 but hasn’t reported any other sporting events before or since.

In a statement, Osborne confirmed Thomas has “watched a couple of football games” in his suite, which the university had given to him. He said he is “taxed” for the use of the suite but did not answer whether Thomas has ever reimbursed him. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln did not respond to requests for comment.

On Sunday, the morning after the football game in Nebraska, Sokol flew with Thomas by private jet to Sokol’s Paintbrush Ranch just outside Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The property, valued in the low eight figures, sits in the foothills of Shadow Mountain. A local radio personality said of the estate: “This is the ultimate home and it has the most iconic view of the Tetons I’ve seen. Ever.”

Sokol also owns a waterfront mansion in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, currently worth $20.1 million, where he’s hosted the Thomases as well, according to photos of the visits. The 12,800-square-foot property includes a home theater, elevator, walk-in wine cellar and yacht docking. (In addition, Sokol and Thomas have shared an opulent lodge together while vacationing at Crow’s private lakeside resort, Camp Topridge, in the Adirondacks.)

In Wyoming, the Thomases fished, rafted on the Snake River and sat by a campfire overlooking the Teton Range with the other couples. At one point, the Paolettas serenaded the justice with a song they wrote about him.

Like Thomas, Paoletta did not disclose the trip on his yearly financial filings. At the time, Paoletta was general counsel and the designated ethics official at the Office of Management and Budget. In a statement, Paoletta said he wasn’t required to disclose the trip because he had reimbursed Sokol, but he did not say how much or provide documentation of those payments. “I complied with all ethics laws and regulations,” Paoletta said.

Details of the vacation to Nebraska and Wyoming were drawn from photographs, trip planning emails and social media posts, as well as interviews with airport workers, local residents and others familiar with the travel, including river raft guides.

Since 1990, Sokol and his wife have donated more than $1 million to Republican politicians and groups, along with smaller amounts to Democrats. Last October, in New Orleans, Sokol made a direct reference to a pending Supreme Court case while addressing a group of former Horatio Alger scholarship recipients. (Thomas was not in attendance.)

The speech veered into territory that made many of those in attendance uncomfortable and left others appalled, emails and others messages show. Sokol, who has written extensively about American exceptionalism and the virtues of free enterprise, minimized slavery and systemic racism, some felt. He then criticized President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan, arguing Biden had overstepped the government’s authority, according to a recording of the speech obtained by ProPublica.

“It’s going to get overturned by the Supreme Court,” Sokol predicted, echoing a common legal commentary.

He was right. This summer, the court struck down Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan. Thomas voted in the majority.

Deep Sea Fishing in the Caribbean

Nearly every spring, Novelly, a billionaire who made his fortune storing and transporting petroleum, takes his two yachts on a fishing expedition to the Bahamas’ Exuma Islands. Photographs from the trips show porcelain beaches, cerulean waters and fresh mahi-mahi. Friends and family come and go for days at a time.

Three of Novelly’s former yacht workers, including a captain, told ProPublica they recall Thomas coming on board the vessels multiple times in recent years. Novelly’s local chauffeur in the Bahamas said his company once picked Thomas up from the billionaire’s private jet and drove him to the marina where one of the yachts, Le Montrachet, frequently docks.

Le Montrachet, named after the premium French wine, is a 126-foot luxury vessel complete with a full bar, multiple dining areas, a baby grand piano, accommodations for 10 guests and a handful of smaller fishing boats and jet skis. Novelly charges about $60,000 a week to outsiders who want to charter it.

Another past guest on Novelly’s yacht is “Alligator” Ron Bergeron, one of the biggest land and roadway developers in Florida. Around 2018, Novelly and Thomas went to Bergeron’s private ranch on the edge of the Everglades — a sprawling, gated estate with centuries-old cypress trees and an 1800s-style saloon on site. He described Novelly as a man who likes to share his success with others. “He’s very generous with all his friends,” Bergeron told ProPublica.

Bergeron said his conversations with Thomas at the ranch were strictly about charity work and not business. “You’re talking about a great man,” Bergeron said, “who gives his time to make a difference for America.”

Since 1999, Novelly’s family and companies have publicly disclosed at least $500,000 to conservative causes and Republican candidates in federal elections. (Before then, he had given to both parties.)

Novelly, who recently stepped down from his CEO roles, ran his business affairs aggressively, ending up on the wrong side of the government in at least two cases. He spends much of his time between St. Louis and Boca Raton, Florida, where he has a 23,000 square-foot palatial estate appraised at $22.2 million. In 2002, Novelly established residency and a holding company in the Virgin Islands. During a hearing with local officials, Novelly described the arrangement there as a “quid pro quo,” meaning the U.S. territory received a boost to the local economy in return for offering substantial tax breaks. The IRS would later call it an “abusive tax avoidance scheme” and pursued Novelly for millions in back taxes and penalties. Novelly denied the characterization and eventually settled with the government for a negotiated amount.

There’s no evidence his friendship with Thomas helped Novelly in one of his most significant disputes. In 2005, the Justice Department sued Novelly’s company, Apex Oil, because its corporate predecessor had contributed to a massive groundwater contamination beneath an Illinois village and then Apex refused to help with the cleanup. Apex argued the spill had occurred before the company went through a bankruptcy years earlier. Several judges ruled against Apex, which eventually appealed to the Supreme Court in 2010. The justices declined to hear the case, and the company had to pay about $150 million to help remove oil from the soil.

It’s not clear how Thomas voted in the case because such votes are not typically public. The vacations ProPublica identified appear to have occurred after the case was resolved.

In 2020, Apex Oil, Sokol and Crow helped fund a documentary defending Thomas as a response to an HBO film that was critical of the justice. Sokol called the HBO movie a “Molotov cocktail into our homes” and a prime example of America’s eroding civility.

The “Most Coveted” Invitation in the World

Thomas’ first billionaire benefactor is likely H. Wayne Huizenga, believed to be the only person in American history to build three separate Fortune 500 companies. One of the three was AutoNation, which Huizenga founded in 1996 before building it into the largest car dealer in the country. Between 1998 and 1999, Huizenga’s holding company spent $500,000 lobbying federal agencies that regulate the automotive industry, according to OpenSecrets data. Over the years, the Huizenga family and companies gave millions to state and federal Republican candidates and once threw a fundraiser for the Florida GOP that helped keep the party afloat for months.

The billionaire was known to regularly lavish gifts and perks on those in his orbit. He routinely took friends on opulent vacations. He paid his employees handsomely and sometimes covered their bills and personal expenses. On a whim, Huizenga once handed box tickets for the opera, which were worth thousands, to his caterer, Bob Leonardi.

“I led the life of a multimillionaire without being one,” Leonardi said.

For 20 years, Thomas benefited from Huizenga’s attention as well, availing himself of the billionaire’s fleet of aircraft and other luxuries. Huizenga took Thomas to see the Miami Dolphins and Florida Panthers several times between the mid-’90s and mid-2000s, according to interviews and photographs. Huizenga owned both teams at the time.

Executives saw Thomas around Huizenga’s office often. Richard Rochon, the former president of Huizenga Holdings, said Thomas once shadowed the billionaire during meetings. “He just wants to see what I do every day,” Rochon recalled Huizenga saying.

On at least two occasions, Thomas attended Huizenga’s birthday and Christmas parties, which the billionaire held inside his private hangar at the Fort Lauderdale airport. Van Poole, a lobbyist and former chairman of the Florida GOP, recalled riding down the elevator at the nearby Hyatt Pier 66 hotel — which Huizenga also controlled — when the Thomases stepped in with a security detail. The group discussed college sports and then traveled to the party together, Poole said.

Thomas occasionally flew on Huizenga’s helicopters, sometimes taking off from the roof of the corporate headquarters, and at least one of his Gulfstream jets around Florida, according to his former pilots. But the billionaire’s most luxurious planes were a pair of 737 jets he had retrofitted like a lounge, complete with recliners, love seats, mahogany dining and card tables and gourmet food.

At least two times in the mid 2000s, Huizenga sent one of them to pick up Thomas and deliver him to Fort Lauderdale, said John Wener, the flight attendant on board.

Wener recalled chatting with the justice about his nomination to the Supreme Court and the tumultuous Senate confirmation hearings after Thomas’ former aide, Anita Hill, accused him of sexual harassment. “He said, ‘Just imagine a job interview and you’re in front of 100 people that hate you,’” Wener recalled Thomas remarking. “‘How would that interview go?’”

In the early 2000s, Huizenga gave Thomas something that was priceless at the time: a standing invitation to his exclusive, members-only golf club, the Floridian. Designed by golf legend Gary Player, the course was lined with cottages for Huizenga’s friends, a yacht marina for them to dock and a helipad if they wanted to fly in. One family friend told the Huizenga family biographer that the Floridian was “the most coveted private golf invitation in the world.” Those who worked and played there said the membership rolls were a Rolodex of the rich, famous and powerful: From Michael Douglas and Rush Limbaugh to Michael Bloomberg and former Vice President Dan Quayle. Donald Trump once asked to be a member but Huizenga spurned him, according to three of Huizenga’s former employees.

All 200-plus members were “honorary” and didn’t pay dues — Huizenga covered everything. “It was a little slice of heaven, a magical place,” former media personality Matt Lauer told the biographer. “You drove through the gates and it was this fairytale land that he had created.”

It’s unclear if Thomas was a member or Huizenga’s frequent guest with similar privileges. The billionaire’s former personal photographer and two former golf pros at the club recalled seeing Thomas there multiple times over the years. One of Huizenga’s helicopter pilots said he had picked the justice up from the property. And a fifth employee, a former waitress and concierge, said she once served Thomas and Huizenga, who were wearing golf attire, as they dined alone in the enormous waterfront clubhouse for lunch. “Have you met a Supreme Court justice?” Huizenga asked the waitress before she took their order. “This is Clarence Thomas.”

Today, the Floridian, which the Huizenga family sold in 2010 before it underwent renovations, has a $150,000 initiation fee.

Paying for Access to the Supreme Court Chambers

Thomas first met Huizenga at a formal gala in Washington, D.C., in 1992, when they were both inducted into the Horatio Alger Association. Henry Kissinger and Maya Angelou were among the other honorees that year. The organization, named after the 19th-century novelist who popularized rags-to-riches folklore, gives millions in college scholarships each year and also brings together some of the country’s wealthiest, self-made business tycoons for opulent events. (In real life, Alger was a minister on Cape Cod who resigned from his parish after he was credibly accused of molesting boys.)

“We were proud to honor Justice Thomas more than 30 years ago,” an association spokesperson said in a statement, “and remain grateful for his continued involvement in our organization.” She said Thomas spends countless hours mentoring scholarship recipients.

Thomas appears to have met Huizenga, Sokol, Novelly and Bergeron through the organization. Several of Thomas’ trips to Florida in the 2000s appear to have been connected with the association. In that time period, he joined Huizenga at Horatio Alger scholarship ceremonies in South Florida, travel that the justice disclosed in several of his yearly financial filings.

However, he never identified Huizenga in any of his disclosures. The association spokesperson confirmed to ProPublica that the billionaire hosted those events “and covered all costs involved.”

Experts said that means Thomas’ disclosures would be, at a minimum, incomplete and misleading because the rules require federal judges to identify the source of the gifts they receive. “Source means the person or entity that paid for it,” said Kathleen Clark, a legal ethics authority at Washington University in St. Louis.

Belonging to the association has had its privileges. As part of a board meeting, the Thomases once went on a lavish trip to Jamaica, where they were hosted by a wealthy donor who owned a luxury hotel atop a former sugar plantation. Johnny Cash performed. Horatio Alger Association membership itself is worth at least $200,000, according to the organization’s meeting minutes in 2007, a sum that those who nominate a new member are responsible for raising in that person’s honor. The association spokesperson said there was no requirement to raise money for new members back when Thomas was inducted.

Thomas has likely helped the group earn many times that figure since then. Every year, the justice hosts an event for members inside the Supreme Court’s Great Hall. The Times previously reported that the event afforded the Horatio Alger Association unusual access to the court.

ProPublica examined boxes of the association’s historical archives, including financial records that show the group has required donations of at least $1,500 — $7,500 for nonmembers — to attend the Supreme Court event. In 2004, those who donated $100,000 for a table at the main ceremony got 10 seats inside the Supreme Court. In the judiciary’s code of conduct — which is general guidance that does not apply to Supreme Court justices, though they say they consult it — there is explicit language advising federal judges against using their position to fundraise for outside organizations.

But that’s what Thomas has done, said Virginia Canter, a former government ethics lawyer who served in administrations of both parties and reviewed the association’s financial records at ProPublica’s request.

“To use the Supreme Court to fundraise for somebody’s charity is, to me, an abuse of office,” she said. Canter acknowledged the organization may do good work, but that’s besides the point, she said, because wealthy donors aren’t supposed to be able to pay thousands of dollars to visit a justice inside the courthouse walls.

“It’s pay to play,” Canter added, “isn’t it?”