2019 National Teacher of the Year
@RodRobinsonRVA
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He/Him 2019 National Teacher of the Year Virginia State University Grad
Richmond, VA
Joined July 2011
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Pinned Tweet
“A Plan to Increase Cultural Equity in Education” by Rodney Robinson
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If your kids don’t attend public schools, you should be disqualified from making decisions about those schools reopening.
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I only get to write off $250 for school supplies on my taxes when I easily spend $1,000+ every year and the president only paid $750. Excuse the language but that’s some bullshit.
#TrumpTaxes
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Please don’t start a re opening schools protest called
#teacherlivesmatter
. It’s offensive to black people and their struggle. I agree that there are a lot of stupid ignorant plans to open school right now but that slogan ain’t it. Especially when 80% of teachers are white.
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If your friends don’t cheer for you like Krew cheered for King, then get new friends.
#blackboyjoy
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I don’t know if this is sold out or if this the best product ever made.
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Take a moment & appreciate the principals and central office administrators. This global pandemic is leading to a lot of sleepless nights and stress filled days for them. No decision is simple or easy right now and nothing prepared them for this.
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Schools say they can’t make kids wear masks but they definitely make rules punishing black boys who don’t pull their pants up to their waist.
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Canceling student loan debt is a teacher retention strategy.
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After 20 years in the classroom, its time to move on to something that will have a bigger impact on all students in
@RPS_Schools
. I am excited to announce that I am the Senior Advisor for the Male Teacher of Color Initiative and will be working on the anti racist policy agenda
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I got stuck in a room with Betsy DeVos and Mike Pence for 25 minutes of the most awkward painful forced conversation of my life last year. I was so happy when the cameraman came in because I finally had someone to talk to who didn’t offend me with every statement.
#VPDebate
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You can be your ABCs with Sam. Best thing you will see today.
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Canceling student loan debt is a strategy for teacher retention.
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White educators, please do not tag black educators in posts of solidarity. Tag other white educators who are silent. We live the experience. We are traumatized and are not trying to be your cool, approving black friend right now.
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@RepJahanaHayes
introducing me to John Lewis. One of the greatest moments of my life. All I could do was smile and mumble as he congratulated and thanked me. I was so nervous and humbled to be in the presence of a true American Icon.
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Every teacher who was forced to resign or retire because of Covid and their district’s refusal to compromise should run for school board in their district. You have name recognition and tons of students who will support you. We need more teachers making education decisions.
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New teacher advice: Ensure your first communication home is a positive one. You should make positive contact with every family before the end of the first two weeks. Consistent positive contact will make the tougher conversations easier and better received.
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Check on your educator friends. We are struggling right now.
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Hanover County, 15 miles outside of Richmond VA has a school named Lee-Davis High School “Home of the Confederates” with a 20% Black population. A fed judge just dismissed a lawsuit by the local NAACP challenging the name. Let’s give them the same energy we giving the monuments.
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Teachers who say they need cops in thier school to protect them from students need to leave that school and probably leave the profession.
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My advice to new teachers is to avoid the toxicity and negativity. Avoid the teachers lounge. This job is hard enough and you don’t need that negative energy pulling you down. Find those who are excelling. Build relationships with them, students & your community.
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If you don’t know what to say to students today, just listen to them and acknowledge their pain. You will learn more that way.
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You tried to deny me the opportunity to come into the house my enslaved ancestors built and shake my hand until you were pressured into it. Having to award an honor to a Black man who deserved it and not one of your Black cronies sickened you. You don’t care about Black people
In 3 1/2 years, I’ve done much more for our Black population than Joe Biden has done in 43 years. Actually, he set them back big time with his Crime Bill, which he doesn’t even remember. I’ve done more for Black Americans, in fact, than any President in U.S. history, with...
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My mom was my inspiration for education but my dad was the backbone of the family who taught me the values of hard work and family. He and mom were married almost 40 years before he passed. I know he is looking down with pride and I hope to be half the man he was.
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If you want to thank a teacher, pay us a fair wage & fix the social issues and safety net so we won't be overburdened handling problems we aren't trained for such as homelessness, lack of physical and mental health access, economic inequities, gun violence, & systemic racism.
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I’m not a bougie person but I only use Crayola, Ticonderoga, and G2. Educators know the vibe.
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I MET JON LEWIS!!!!!!!
I am rarely in awe when I meet someone but I was almost speechless.
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The teacher shortage was a problem before the pandemic. Now it’s a national emergency that requires all levels of government to take action immediately. This is not sustainable. The system will collapse and we know who will be left behind.
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My niece: I told my teacher at my old school that you were the National Teacher of the Year and she didn’t believe me, so I told her that if there was an award for worst teacher, she would get it because she don’t believe her students.
Me:
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There is no tired like educator on a Friday night tired.
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Veteran educators watching the blood born pathogens video
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Teachers who are beginning the work of abolitionist teaching need to ensure you are amplifying student voice and not making yours louder. Teach them how to think freely. Don’t tell them what to think.
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If you teach young black girls, Please tell them they are beautiful and valued everyday because society tells them they are not and some of them are extremely damaged by that.
#BlackGirlMagic
#MelaninMagic
#melaninpopping
#whyiteach
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Creative way to introduce the 5th grade team to everyone. 4 Black male elementary teachers in the same grade. Great job!!!
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When I speak of hiring more black teachers, the first pushback I get is they need to be quality and there are bad black teachers. That’s a given when I make that statement all students deserve quality. No one mentions quality when we talk about hiring white teachers.
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Happy Birthday Ms. Johnson!!!! They got her.
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Teachers, stop trying to police children in their homes. It’s ridiculous and shows your incompetence. We are going through a pandemic. Empathy for others is what’s going to get us through this; not control and punishment.
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We must protect our BIPOC and LGBTQ students in Virginia classrooms.
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Today was my last contracted day as
#ntoy19
. Covid didn't allow me to end this year the way I intended but I have grown and learned so much (good and bad) from this experience. It's time to get back to grassroots passion work. Thanks to everyone for the support.
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The doctors only gave you a few years when you were born but you made it to 50. I will miss you but glad you aren’t suffering anymore. Thanks for being a great big sister and showing me the way. I will carry on the lessons you taught me. RIP Chandra Robinson. Say hi to dad for me
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The fact that I am in a line up with
@BarackObama
,
@MichelleObama
and
@Malala
, and
@KingJames
is so humbling but we deserve it. By we, I mean all teachers. We are rockstars and I am happy to represent us.
#graduatetogether2020
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Walking into my classroom to see my students today.
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Equity is a great buzz word for people to use until equitable decisions affect or threaten their position and privilege. True equity disrupts comfort.
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Good morning to everyone who knows this is called yellow cake.
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Hey
@SnoopDogg
. I teach at a juvenile detention center and I am the Virginia Teacher of the Year. It would mean so much if you could stop by when you are in Richmond, VA on December 6 and give my kids a positive word. Hit me up at rrobins4
@rvaschools
.net if you see this.
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Black Panther was more than a movie. It was a place where black boys and girls could have limitless dreams and view themselves as the bravest and smartest people on earth free from white supremacy. Thanks for helping make that possible Chadwick Boseman. RIP.
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Said it before and I’ll say it again all schools should be remote until at least February. Covid cases are surging out of control and teachers are paying the price with their lives.
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Sending prayers of comfort to children and teachers across Virginia and the nation who will not see each other again this academic year. Parents hug your kids a little tighter tonight for us and everyone check on your teacher friends. We are struggling and missing our students
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Calling a student “at risk” enables adults to live guilt free with the idea that they have failed our kids. At promise or at potential says what does a kid need to be successful and we must take responsibility for providing the resources and support.
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I’m really worried about who’s going to be Biden’s choice for Secretary of Education. So far all his cabinet choices have been the status quo which is the last thing we need in education right now. Status quo has always failed black, brown, and poor children in education.
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The key to virtual learning is the same as face to face: relationships. If you build solid relationships, kids will keep cameras on, log in on time, and participate. They will do this not bc they are scared of failing, but bc they are scared to disappoint you.
#reopenwithlove
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When she was born with cerebral palsy, the doctor told my mom she wouldn’t make it to 5 years old. Today she is celebrating her 50th birthday. Happy Birthday to my sister, Chandra.
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Today was my first official day as National Teacher of the Year. Big footsteps to follow after
@MandyRheaWrites
@RepJahanaHayes
@ShannaPeeples
@JasonKamras
and the many other NTOY’s. I plan to speak truth to power the next 365 days.
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Trump & his Press Secretary Sean Spicer are trying to distract you from the massive women's protests around the country. Don't take the bait
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18 months ago this young man was sitting in my class in detention saying he was going to graduate then get a job jumping out of planes. He graduated last June. He stopped by our career day today to speak to students and tell us he is headed to airborne school in a few weeks
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Please stop saying schools are defying the governor’s executive orders and say they are following state law with mask mandates. Stop framing things as adversarial. This language endangers school officials.
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Phil Collins has been in the top 5 of streaming services the past 48 hours. He owe those two black kids from Philly a check for that.
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The most immediate thing we can do to end the school to prison pipeline is to remove cops from school. There are plenty of other things that work such as more counselors, quality PD for teachers, and anti racist curriculums but it starts with removing cops.
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Removing monuments is not going to end racism but it does remove barriers to the dreams of black children in America. Imagine having to walk by a tribute to your peoples’ enslavement everyday or attending a school named after it. That’s oppressive and spirit killing.
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Definitely the highlight of my life. I’m going to keep getting into “good trouble”. We lost C.T. Vivian and John Lewis in the same day. Very few Civil Rights Movement Icons left. Appreciate the ones who are still here and never forget the ones who have passed.
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If I see anyone with a pink perfect attendance pencil, we have beef and it’s going down on sight.
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Schools should be closed.
Kids should be fed.
We have the ability to do both.
This country went to the damn moon.
We can do anything we prioritize.
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I refuse for the only image in my head of George Floyd to be that police officer on his neck. Flood social media with how he lived. Check out his drip.
#rip
#blacklivesmatter
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Stop calling Betsy Devos stupid. She has been cruel and opportunistic in her attempts to destroy public education since day 1 of her job. She is calculating and manipulative.
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That
#abbottelementary
salute to Black teachers who did their job without recognition for the history they were making brought me to tears. We do so much and persevere because it’s necessary. Thank you Quinta Brunson.
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I taught in a juvenile detention center for 5 years. Things like this happen to black children way more common than most people understand or realize. This is a thread of the some of the things I have seen in my years at the detention center.
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Betsy Devos is the most dangerous woman in America and has been for the past 3 years. This is why it’s essential to vote for
@JoeBiden
this fall. It’s not hyperbole to say the future of America’s children is at stake.
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Everyone wants diversity until it threatens their position and/or status in organizations.
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TSA Agent: I recognize you. You the Teacher of the year, Congratulations (Whispers) It’s good to see a Black man teaching.
Me: Say it louder,
#weneedblackteachers
Agent: (Screams across the entire checkpoint) It’s good to see a Black man teaching. We need more of y’all.
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Last day in the classroom for at least a year. I said I wasn’t going to cry but when u get this from one of your students it just breaks you down.
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Teachers don’t want thanks from politicians on
#WorldTeachersDay
. They want a professional wage, respect, and to be treated as the experts we are when it comes to education and children. Also not to have to risk our lives to educate children.
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The excitement my kids gave me yesterday was overcome by the sadness that I will be leaving them for a year so today was a little somber until I pulled out the cupcakes, juice, and hot fries to celebrate. I am going to miss them.
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Education isn’t the top issue in this election; it’s racism. They are just using education to blow their racial dog whistles. “CRT” “Parental rights” and “School violence” are all part of the southern strategy.
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The upsetting thing is if the Dems lose tonight in VA, they will ask the same black women they said weren’t good enough to run for Governor to save the party the next two years.
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The VA General Assembly needs to reallocate the money for SRO’s and policing & use it to replace the money removed from the budget for school counselors and mental health. Our kids are traumatized by the events of 2020 and counselors are needed to ensure kids get mental support.
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I wish the sport of gymnastics was more accessible to young black boys. I’ve seen them do amazing flips etc with no proper training.
He’s only 14 and just did a DOUBLE BACKFLIP 🤯🤯 (via lub._lub/IG)
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The assumption of people in and out of education that you must go into administration if you have the degrees and credentials is disrespectful. Not everyone wants to be an administrator/principal. It's fine if you want to stay in the classroom. Let's normalize respecting that.
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As Covid numbers rise, all public schools should be doing remote learning until March 2021. We need leadership on this issue. The lives of educators and students should not be a political or partisan issue.
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There was a school shooting today in which a student died and it barely made news. We have failed our kids by normalizing this violence in our schools.
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Some much needed educational conversations are happening among teachers because of Covid. Convos about grading, discipline, SEL, racial justice, equity, and SPED services. We need to keep that energy next year and refuse to go back to business as normal.
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I hate when people argue that SROs build great relationships with students and mentor them. You know who else does that, School Counselors but they are additionally trained with skills to make our kids mentally healthy.
#counselorsnotcops
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Imagine what the world would be if all the educators (state teachers of the year) sitting in the seats of the education committee today actually got to make education policy.
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No one:
Black Lady in Publix:
Hey
Hey you
Hey you that teacher
That teacher of the year
That national teacher of the year from Virginia State
Hey everybody, it’s that national teacher of the year from Virginia State.
Me: yes, ma’am
I love my people.
#hailstate
#ntoy19
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Great time on the hill visiting my VA Senators
@timkaine
and
@MarkWarner
. Really excited about working together to help all kids.
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Educators, please do not teach the 1619 project if you aren’t also teaching about Gabriel Prosser, Phyllis Wheatley, Nat Turner, Stone Rebellion, German Coast Rebellion, David Walker, and others. We were more than just slaves. We are fighters and intellectuals.
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I made jokes yesterday but words can’t express how elated educators are that
@BetsyDeVosED
will no longer be Secretary of Education. She was by far the most unqualified and dangerous member of Trumps cabinet and that’s saying a lot.
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New word
Grand-student:
1) the student of your former student who is a teacher
2) the children of a former student
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Historians said the pandemic would bring amazing art. This is what they meant.
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Our secretary of Ed
@teachcardona
just said he “looks forward to meeting with students, parents, local, state, and TRIBAL leaders”. Powerful statement of inclusion.
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I’m so thankful we have Monday off because I am not in a good place mentally. I can’t believe someone killed one of our students and put them in a trash can. So much tragedy and our kids are hurting.
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Do superintendents and school boards forcing teachers back to school know there is a teacher shortage? Not only are they losing teachers this year but numerous teachers will leave for other districts next year because of how they are treated.
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Today was amazing as the state of Virginia honored me at my school and I received to key to the city from
@LevarStoney
but I was completely surprised and humbled to see my former students show up and show out. Armstrong was definitely out in force.
#rva
@RPS_Schools
#NTOY2019
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Stop scapegoating history teachers for Americans lack of knowledge of history. The whole system is racist.
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To all the black girls who were told by school counselors and others that they were limiting themselves by going to HBCUs, this is your week to shine.
@KamalaHarris
@staceyabrams
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I got an A in every math class, Got into a gifted program strictly because of my math scores on SAT in 7th grade and my high school counselor said she didn’t think I could handle AP Calculus and talked me out of taking it. The racism of low expectations for black kids.
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I firmly believe all school buildings should be closed the rest of the calendar year. However, the longer school boards delay decisions on school openings this fall; the harder it is for teachers, parents, and administrators to prepare.
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Today is the 2nd anniversary of being named the 2019 National Teacher of the Year. It was a year filled with a lot of travel, love, respect, & new relationships, but also with hate, racial abuse, & covid. I proudly represented the 1.7% of Black males in education.
#GoodTrouble
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All people said is we don't want children reading Dr. Seuss books with blatant racism and many people are losing their mind. We can't let fragility and nostalgia derail conversations about what's best for students. Retweet or comment with a culturally affirming children's book.
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People in education love using "Equity" as a buzzword but when you discuss and advocate for equitable policies; those same people are the biggest obstacles to overcome.
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