From a conservative teacher in the Montgomery County, Maryland Public School (MCPS) System.
Conservatism, Education, and Montgomery County Public Schools is a combination that is not welcome. I have seen it firsthand. My hope is through a series of articles, I can share my experiences as a conservative teacher within the MCPS system. I look forward to shedding some light on what is happening within our public school system.
“This is a safe space, right?”
This is what was said by one of my fellow teachers during an interview our school recently conducted.
She proceeded to explain why she felt one particular candidate was not a strong candidate.
No, it was not that this candidate was inexperienced. Her resume showed years of experience in the education field.
No, it was not that this candidate spoke of any educational theory or practice that conflicted with our school’s mission.
No, it was not that this candidate lacked the confidence her role would need in order to interact with our school community.
It was that she was white.
I have sat on several interview panels throughout my teaching career. The typical structure of the interview involves the panel identifying strengths and weaknesses of each candidate immediately after the interview.
“This is a safe space, right?”
Of course, our principal replied that we were in a safe space, allowing the teacher to explain to the panel that her whiteness was a weakness. That, despite the fact that this candidate’s way of life was almost identical to the teacher, she was still weak. You see, the candidate is married to a black man and is the mother of biracial children. The candidate even took the time to explain that she felt her family diversity was a strength of hers. The teacher who brought up this “weakness” also happens to be a white woman who was previously married to a black man and has biracial children.
And, if what she was stating is indeed a weakness, should this teacher even be teaching our children?
If I was shocked by her statement, I cannot remember. What I do remember is becoming irritated by how the rest of the debrief unfolded. My principal, along with others in the panel, praised the teacher for her courage.
At the end of it all, the majority of the panel chose a different candidate. The job was offered to a candidate who maybe did not have as much experience, and may have not had the strongest interview. The job instead was offered to a candidate who was unburdened by the same “weakness” as the other candidate.
“This is a safe space, right?”
References:
- Main image credit: https://www.gunssavelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/no-whites-sign-700×340.jpg
I would like to comment, but I can’t because I can’t stay anonymous. Here is what I would have said: “Good for you for telling your story. Our world is being run by people with terrible judgment.”
Joy
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