Number of teachers pledging to teach Critical Race Theory in Bellevue stagnates at 8 in June

By East King News

Jul 13, 2022

There were no new teachers in Bellevue who signed the pledge in June, according to an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project.

The pledge was signed by eight teachers the month before. It now has eight pledges from Bellevue teachers by June.

They are 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.

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 Bellevue who’ve pledged to teach Critical Race Theory

Teachers	Thoughts on Critical Race Theory
Terry Jess	I will happily violate any law that tells me I must lie to my students and maintain white supremacy through the teaching of a false narrative of our history! Decolonizing our history, our minds, and our schools is the only path forward! Come at me!
Jessica Holloway	I teach a racially diverse population of students who deserve to be honored with honesty and respect.
Shannon Chancellor	I had taught for 15 years in Texas where I was forced to hide the truth from students. I won’t do it anymore.
Holly Huckeba	Thinking like a historian is a critical-thinking skill every teenager learns in high school. Thinking like a historian is an essential skill enabling future citizens to learn how to understand, analyze and identify FACTS. Students in public education must NEVER be told by their government which facts they are allowed to learn and which ones they are forbidden from learning.
Eve Chan	“no comment”
Julia Morse	Civics education is more important now than ever.
Emi Morton	our children are going to create the future.
Jason Friesen	“no comment”