BURLINGAME – California Teachers Association President E. Toby Boyd, a kindergarten educator, issued the following statement to mark a year since the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, an event marked not just by violence but also racism. These tragic events have further magnified the disconnect in our classrooms with historic reality and the dire need for honesty in education.

“Today we mark a year since the violent insurrection on the U.S. Capitol. This event resulted in multiple fatalities and was a sobering wakeup call that our democracy and all that it has represented for more than 200 years – equality, justice, peace, freedom, civility, and the common good – is deeply fragile. It was a symptom of the deep polarization, racism, and disregard for democracy and commonly held facts that has deeply divided our country in recent years. A year later, we know that we cannot succumb to a world view that equates patriotism with racism and violence, incivility, and division and for the sake of our students, we are committed to honesty in education and teaching truth in our classrooms, and schools.

“It is essential for a thriving democracy that educators continue opening minds and giving our students an education that imparts honesty about who we are, integrity about how we treat others, and the courage to do what is right. We must continue to find ways to tell the hard truths about our country’s past so our children can learn to build a better future and a better democracy together, regardless of their race, ethnicity, backgrounds or zip codes. Thankfully, as other states have engaged in skirmishes over “critical race theory,” California has gone in the opposite direction, committing to honesty in education by requiring that all students complete a semester of ethnic studies that high schools must begin offering by the 2025-26 school year, legislation that the California Teachers Association proudly co-sponsored. We are committed to quality restorative practices in discipline, student-centered instruction for students with special needs, and providing the necessary support for our LGBTQ+ students. We all have a role to play in preserving our democracy and creating a better future. It starts with an honest education that sets all our students, regardless of their backgrounds, on a path to success.”

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The 310,000-member CTA is affiliated with the 3 million-member National Education Association.