Hey #Idaho13, Keep the Apologies, Resign Now!

03Nov
by Leticia Chavez-Garcia

“When someone shows you who they are, believe them…”  

Maya Angelou

By now we’ve all seen the images. Folks on social media, especially among us Latinos, are chiming in on the group of teachers in Idaho who showed up to the traditional public school they teach at in costumes depicting the infamous Donald Trump Wall of Hate with Make America Great Again (our own Hitler Slogan) and dressed as stereotypical Mexicans (we do not dress this way and never have!). Okay then!

I remember reading that there was a shortage of teachers in Idaho not too long ago.  Apparently, there is also a shortage of smart teachers as well.  That said, I believe that Idaho would be better off this morning with 13 fewer teachers. If you can stomach overt racism in schools and you are in need of a change of scenery and a teaching job, these positions pay an average of  $33,743.00 per year, and districts in Idaho are hiring. Yes, Idaho teachers are underpaid, and the taxpayers there are definitely getting what they pay for.

The apology from Superintendent Josh Middleton went something like this:  

He called the costumes “clearly insensitive and inappropriate.” blah blah blah…”We are better than this, we embrace all students we have a responsibility to teach and reach all students,” he said. Blah, blah, blah…He also said there was PROBABLY no malicious intent (he could not confirm that point?) and instead offered that it was just a case of “poor judgment”…blah, blah, blah…cover my ass…and we are doing an investigation.  

I just don’t accept this apology. On behalf on the nearly 13% Latino kids enrolled in Middleton Heights Elementary, I urge you to take the apology and stuff it in your piñata! I am sick and tired of teachers thinking they can offend our community, our kids, and our culture and then simply have someone apologize on their behalf and it’s all forgive and forget! The truth is that an apology cannot be accepted because now we know who you are! We know where you stand!  We know you are a racist, hateful and ignorant person who made the choice to display that ignorance for the world to see. So guess what? We do not accept your apology! We want your resignation!

We do not want you teaching our black and brown kids now that your contempt has been verified! Resign or be fired! Those are the only options to correct this disgraceful stunt!

Call the District and demand the dismissal of the #Idaho13 NOW!

Leave Dr. Middleton, the superintendent, a message on the district’s FB page or contact him at (208) 585-3027 or [email protected].

Middleton School District Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees next scheduled meeting is Monday, November 12, at 6 pm.

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Leticia Chavez-Garcia

Leticia Chavez-Garcia is a Mother, Grandmother, former Middle School Teacher, former Member of a School Board of Education and an Education Advocate for hundreds of parents and students in the Inland Empire. Having become a mother at 15, Leticia knows what it’s like to be a single mother trying to navigate the education system. Leticia received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and Public Administration from California Baptist University and a Masters’ Degree in Education Technology from Cal State Fullerton in her 30’s. Leticia has used her knowledge and experience to help hundreds of families as an Education Advocate in the Inland Empire and currently works as an Education Specialist.

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