Two Voices You Haven't Heard in the Book Debate
The Jasons don’t often do sequels, but Whitely got a call that two elected officials wanted to give their first-ever news interviews and Y’all-itics responded.
In this episode, for the first time, top school board members at Keller ISD and Grapevine Colleyville ISD take questions from a journalist.
GCISD Vice President Shannon Braun and KISD President Dr. Charles Randklev discuss the new policies that conservatives majorities on each board just passed this week.
They answer why their boards changed the way library books are selected and revised how teachers talk about race, gender, and sexual identity.
Did any outside conservative groups influence GCISD? What books will not return to the shelves in Keller ISD? And which districts want to replicate these policies elsewhere in Texas? Braun and Randklev answer it all in this special episode.
GUESTS:
Shannon Braun, Grapevine Colleyville ISD Board Vice President
Dr. Charles Randklev, Keller ISD Board President
CRT & Sexually Explicit Curriculum in GCISD, hosted by Keri Smith
Two concerned parents present a packet compiling the issues concerning their district:
1) the crusade against conservatives in GCISD,
2) sexually explicit reading & study materials, &
3) critical race theory in class.
Click the link below for more details.
"CRT & Sexually Explicit Curriculum in GCISD" Podcast Webpage
Visit the website with extensive information about this podcast.
"GCISD in the CRT Crosshairs" podcast
PODCAST SUMMARY
Two Grapevine Colleyville ISD parents talk about how the Dr. Whitfield situation sparked awareness about Critical Race Theory embedded throughout their district.
Superintendent Still Denies that CRT is in GCISD
Despite overwhelming evidence, GCISD’s Superintendent directly said that there was no CRT--which is exactly why GCISD needs a change in leadership. It’s the only way to protect the kids and save the district.
TOPICS IN THE "GCISD in the CRT Crosshairs" PODCAST
No History of Racism
GCISD is 70 years old, and it has never had any problems with race. There have been no documented cases of racism, microaggressions, police issues--nothing. Since this toxic CRT ideology has been brought into the district, parents have seen teachers behaving more like activists than teachers.
Activism Affects Academic Decline
With this increase of activism has come a decline in academic performance district-wide. Both of GCISD’s high schools have fallen from the top 100 high schools in Texas to #447 and #433. GCISD’s leadership has completely lost its way.
District Training Promotes CRT Principles
The real issue with Dr. Whitfield was Critical Race Theory in GCISD. When a parent called him out for presenting at the district-sponsored training called “Breaking the Barriers,” public outcry was far and wide. Within that training is a warped definition of racism centered on the belief of systemic racism. It also shows an identity wheel featuring the core CRT concept of intersectionality.
Converting Teachers into CRT Activists
The training itself was written by a still-employed CHHS Learning Liaison and was about implementing activism—it worked. One Heritage Middle School science teacher talked about her impressions after attending the “Breaking the Barriers” training, saying: “I can’t stop thinking about your session,” “I think we have a long way to go,” and “I want to use this momentum!” A later open records request discovered a parent email calling out this teacher for promoting controversial and political agendas in what was supposed to be a science class. White and Whitfield’s training radicalized this science teacher to be a pro-CRT activist rather than an educator.
Converting Students into CRT Activists
A social studies teacher at Grapevine High School sponsored a “Current Issues & Social Activism Club” that actively supported Dr. Whitfield. They discuss CRT in that club on campus. On the club’s Instagram feed is a slide deck about CRT and Dr. Whitfield specifically. The last slide is a call to action to students, saying “If the school won’t teach you, educate yourself on Critical Race Theory,” and that students can “Attend protests to help.”
Elementary & Middle School Student-Led CRT Seminar
Another huge supporter of Dr. Whitfield and full-on activist is a Bear Creek Elementary School teacher. She participated in the AVID program at Heritage Middle School. Within that program, the STUDENTS led a Critical Race Theory training for other students. Not surprisingly, that same teacher Tweets support for Ibram X. Kendi’s “Anti Racist Baby” book, which claims that even babies are racist. Anti racism is a core tenet of CRT.
Lead Elementary Curriculum Writer Supports CRT
Last, an elementary lead instructional coach for GCISD Tweets his support for teaching the 1619 project--a failed attempt by journalists to push CRT ideologies. The project reimagines the founding of America as based on racial oppression instead of religious freedom. This still-employed instructional coach has direct influence on writing the English curriculum for all elementary school kids in the district. Requiring any understanding of the 1619 Project is in direct violation of state law (Senate Bill 3).
