Teachers tell RPS Board they are proud of district's efforts on equity and inclusion

A number of speakers used the public comment period at this week’s Rochester School Board meeting to show their support for the district’s positions on equity and racial inclusion.

The statements were in response to events earlier this month in which a group of demonstrators confronted the board with signs and speeches denouncing masks mandates, BLM, and critical race theory.

Pushing back against that rhetoric, teachers Melanie Shaw and Anna Schmidt said they were proud of the work the district is doing to prioritize equity and inclusion — while noting there is still work to be done.

“I do not teach critical race theory,” said Shaw. “I do, however, teach my students to think critically and welcome conversations around race, racism, and the impacts of systematic racism.”

Schmidt said she has noticed a newfound fear around the teaching of the country’s “true history,” particularly as it relates to slavery and the treatment of indigenous peoples. But, for Schmidt, she told the board that her job as a teacher is to be honest with students and to instill empathy — adding that ignoring the truth does nothing to change the truth.

“This past year — more than ever — we felt empowered to teach real history and have deep conversations centered around privilege, diversity, equity, and tolerance in our classrooms,” said Schmidt. 

While the crowd at the meeting was at capacity, the board was able to carry out its business without any major disturbances. Prior to the meeting, RPS announced it would be working with law enforcement to address concerns raised at the board’s raucous meeting on July 14.

“You have every right to disagree with district initiatives, but we request that your comments be informed by fact,” School Board Chair Jean Marvin told the crowd at the start of Tuesday’s meeting, “and we remind you that personal attacks, interruptions, or abusive language do nothing to serve the students of this district.”

Haley Handelman is a summer news intern for Med City Beat. A graduate of Mayo High School, she now studies at Northwestern University.

Cover photo: Schmidt (left) and Shaw at Tuesday’s meeting / William Forsman