Number of teachers in South Lake Tahoe teaching Critical Race Theory increases by 1 in week ending March 12

By Lake Tahoe Sun

Mar 17, 2022

Critical Race Theory will be taught by one more teacher in South Lake Tahoe, according to an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project.

No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has three pledges from South Lake Tahoe teachers by the end of the week ending March 12.

They’re 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.

The new South Lake Tahoe teacher wrote “History is not always pretty, uplifting, and just. It is important we do not ignore the parts that are uncomfortable. Our students, the young people of this country, deserve to know what really happened in the past as it has shaped the lives they live each day. We must honestly educate, for these students are the living embodiment of hope that the U.S. can become what we want to believe it can...a place for all to thrive in equity.” when pledging to teach Critical Race Theory.

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 South Lake Tahoe who’ve pledged to teach Critical Race Theory

Teachers	Thoughts on Critical Race Theory
Kristi Jouett	Integrity is important.
Karen Tucker	“no comment”
Melissa Berry	History is not always pretty, uplifting, and just. It is important we do not ignore the parts that are uncomfortable. Our students, the young people of this country, deserve to know what really happened in the past as it has shaped the lives they live each day. We must honestly educate, for these students are the living embodiment of hope that the U.S. can become what we want to believe it can...a place for all to thrive in equity.