As more teachers in Virginia organize and advocate for more money in public schools, some worry that advocacy isn’t welcome. Now Richmond is seeking to reassure teachers they have the right to speak up.
Earlier this week, Richmond’s School Board unanimously passed a resolution re-affirming the right of teachers to speak out.
Brionna Nomi taught in Richmond Public Schools for 10 years. She says teachers know, fundamentally, that they have the same freedom of speech as everyone else.
“But when it comes to being in the workplace there are often instances where our principals will say things - make comments - begrudgingly about us attending a school board meeting or speaking out in some way about the condition of our facilities or our classrooms, or the fact that asbestos is dripping down from our halls,” says Nomi.
Those instances add up, says Nomi, to a culture where staff may feel stifled. It played a part in her decision to stop teaching.
“Because of feeling like I was bullied out of the system, out of speaking up for my profession,” Nomi explained after a press conference last week.
The free speech resolution was pushed by a grassroots group of Richmond educators. They’re also calling for an anonymous tip line, and explicit protections for teachers who speak out about poor conditions in schools.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
