Values Matter: #Responsibility: A Lesson for the School Board
By Amalie Ise, a Senior at iPrep Academy
By Amalie Ise, a Senior at iPrep Academy
#Responsibility is a quality marked by one’s ability “to choose for oneself between right and wrong” and involves “accountability” (m-w.com). Do you walk the dog? Wash the dishes? Take out the trash? These are all day-to-day obligations that many people have without realizing these “chores” build #Responsibility.
Students have a duty to attend class, complete their homework and actively participate if they want to succeed in school. #Responsibility is a commitment that one makes and it can be easy to lose sight of. |
However, for adults who are custodians of knowledge, it is the utmost #Responsibility to provide all students with a comprehensive, quality education and safe and inclusive learning environment. This is especially true for the Miami-Dade County School Board which should serve as advocates and representatives for ALL Miami-Dade students. Through limitation and restriction of knowledge, ignorance is perpetuated.
On September 7, 2022, the Miami-Dade County School Board rejected the proposal to designate October as LGBTQ+ history month (initiative H11) by a 8-1 vote. The proposal included information for Teachers of 12th grade United States Government the option to include two Supreme Court cases into the curriculum: Obergefell v. Hodges which recognizes same-sex marriage and Bostock v. Clayton County which protects gay or transgender employees from discrimination in the workplace. The controversy arose from a concern that approving such a proposal would violate the Florida Parental Rights in Education (HB 1557) also known across the country as, the “Don’t Say Gay Bill.”
On September 7, 2022, the Miami-Dade County School Board rejected the proposal to designate October as LGBTQ+ history month (initiative H11) by a 8-1 vote. The proposal included information for Teachers of 12th grade United States Government the option to include two Supreme Court cases into the curriculum: Obergefell v. Hodges which recognizes same-sex marriage and Bostock v. Clayton County which protects gay or transgender employees from discrimination in the workplace. The controversy arose from a concern that approving such a proposal would violate the Florida Parental Rights in Education (HB 1557) also known across the country as, the “Don’t Say Gay Bill.”
Parents protest the School Board's decision
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Some opponents feared the proposal would indoctrinate children. However, creating a history month dedicated to the LGBTQ+ is not out of the ordinary. Miami Dade celebrates several other months such as Breast Cancer Awareness, Suicide Prevention, Hispanic Heritage, Women’s History and more. So then, why is dedicating a month to the LGBTQ+ controversial?
Ms. Gelber, iPrep Academy’s Advanced Placement and Honors United States Government teacher, spoke at the September 7th School Board meeting and stated, “I don’t understand why this is even controversial or there is any opposition. This is not about sex or indoctrination. It’s about helping all our young people see that we are all ONE human race with similar hopes and dreams, and all kinds of people have made and will continue to make valuable contributions to our world. For too long, the history of LGBTQ individuals has been unspoken and hidden." |
Ms. Gelber, like many other teachers, feels passionately about the education of her students and the opportunity for equal representation throughout history and in the classroom. She proudly explains “I have taught Obergefell v. Hodges and I will continue to teach both cases in my government classes!” She places the emphasis on the importance of education and influence of the cases rather than the contents of it. She even went as far as having the Mayor of Miami Beach, Dan Gelber, create posters for some of the classrooms to reinforce the idea that “...even though it may not officially be LBGTQ+ month, in our hearts it is.” The significance of teaching these specific court cases is to provide historical context in the progressive march of civil rights in the United States and to increase awareness about American History, to understand the rights for all citizens, and to create a safe space in our schools where students feel comfortable expressing themselves.
Moreover, the wording was to recognize LGBTQ+ equality and to propose to Government Teachers to explore the effect of the court rulings on society. It allowed students to opt out of learning about these Supreme Court cases, giving them a CHOICE to learn about the cases or not. This is not about exclusion or inculcation. It is about EDUCATION and #Responsibility. As a senior who has spent fourteen years in Miami Dade County Public Schools, it is disheartening that the people who were elected to oversee the educational experience for all students did not embrace their #Responsibility to advocate for this proposal and support the true intent. #Responsibility means being properly informed and standing up for others.
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Miami Dade School Board Meeting on September 7, 2022.
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#Responsibility is an important quality that can be lost through ignorance and fear. Witnessing the MDCPS School Board cave into pressures from a small group of people (supposedly parents) and worry about defying the ambiguous and dehumanizing HB 1557 instead of standing for ALL teachers, staff, and students is #IRRESPONSIBLITY.
The lesson is this: It is important to remember that every person has a duty to society and to stay true to their mission, in this case, stand and represent ALL.
The lesson is this: It is important to remember that every person has a duty to society and to stay true to their mission, in this case, stand and represent ALL.
Work Cited
Atterbury, Andrew. “Miami-Dade school board rejects LGBTQ history month over fears it violates 'Don't Say Gay.'” Politico, 8 September 2022, https://www.politico.com/news/2022/09/07/miami-dade-school-board-spars-over-lgbtq-history-month-recognition-00055368. Accessed 10 October 2022.
Jones, Dustin. “Miami-Dade school board votes against observing LGBTQ History Month.” NPR, 9 September 2022, https://www.npr.org/2022/09/09/1122010922/miami-school-board-lgbtq-history-month. Accessed 10 October 2022.
“Miami-Dade school board rejects plan to make October LGBTQ History month.” The Guardian, 8 September 2022, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/sep/08/miami-dade-school-board-rejects-lgbtq-history-month. Accessed 10 October 2022.
Atterbury, Andrew. “Miami-Dade school board rejects LGBTQ history month over fears it violates 'Don't Say Gay.'” Politico, 8 September 2022, https://www.politico.com/news/2022/09/07/miami-dade-school-board-spars-over-lgbtq-history-month-recognition-00055368. Accessed 10 October 2022.
Jones, Dustin. “Miami-Dade school board votes against observing LGBTQ History Month.” NPR, 9 September 2022, https://www.npr.org/2022/09/09/1122010922/miami-school-board-lgbtq-history-month. Accessed 10 October 2022.
“Miami-Dade school board rejects plan to make October LGBTQ History month.” The Guardian, 8 September 2022, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/sep/08/miami-dade-school-board-rejects-lgbtq-history-month. Accessed 10 October 2022.