Teachers: It’s time to refocus on the needs of students

For more information, contact:
Chris Williams
651-292-4816 (work)
651-247-5539 (cell)

Megan Boldt
651-292-4818 (work)
651-245-9163 (cell)

ST. PAUL, Minn. Feb. 17, 2017 – More than 40 teachers of color will attend a news conference Tuesday morning to ask Minnesota lawmakers to refocus their efforts on the actual needs of students of color, rather than creating new tax breaks for wealthy individuals and powerful corporations.

“There’s a giant disconnect between what we’re hearing the Legislature wants to do for education and what we’re seeing in our classrooms every day,” said Yzolde Chepokas, a teacher from Eden Prairie and member of the League of Latino Educators. “We’re coming to the Capitol to share what we know will benefit our students and their families. It’s time for the people who do the work to have their say.”

The event is organized by Education Minnesota’s Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee in collaboration with the Coalition to Increase Teachers of Color and American Indian Teachers in MN, Navigate MN, ISAIAH, Out Front, SEIU, the African-American Educators Forum, American Indian Education Professionals, League of Latino Educators, Pan-Asian Educators Forum and other community groups.

At the news conference, educators will support:

• Increasing state investments in restorative justice practices in schools, which have been shown to reduce racial disparities in school discipline.
• Legislative changes to ensure schools are safe and welcoming for all students and staff.
• New policies to recruit and retain more teachers of color in Minnesota schools.

After the news conference, the teachers of color will meet with lawmakers throughout the Capitol complex.

Details:

• WHAT: Teachers of color advocate for students of color.
• WHEN: 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 21
• WHERE: Press Conference Room, B971, Capitol
• WHY: Teachers of color aren’t being heard in the 2017 education debate.

About Education Minnesota
Education Minnesota is the voice for professional educators and students. Education Minnesota’s members include teachers and education support professionals in Minnesota’s public school districts, faculty members at Minnesota’s community and technical colleges and University of Minnesota campuses in Duluth and Crookston, retired educators and student teachers. Education Minnesota is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO.