1 more Naperville teacher pledges to teach Critical Race Theory in week ending March 12 despite controversy

By DuPage Policy Journal

Mar 21, 2022

Critical Race Theory will be taught by one more teacher in Naperville, according to an online pledge from the Zinn Education Project.

No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has four pledges from Naperville teachers by the end of the week ending March 12.

They’re one of the thousands of US teachers pledging to continue educating students about the controversial Critical Race Theory, which explains racism is embedded in US culture and politics.

The new Naperville teacher wrote “I'm signing the pledge because all Americans deserve to know all the history of this country in order to be fully engaged citizens in our democracy. Not knowing all the history will, and I believe has, crippled the ability for those ill-educated citizens to think critically and solve the many problems that confront our global community, as well as our local communities.” when pledging to teach Critical Race Theory.

Though the concept was first suggested in the late 70’s, it has recently exploded as a contentious issue between the American right and left in the last two years.

Many who signed the pledge are defying state bans on the teachings. Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, New Hampshire, Florida, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Tennessee have passed legislation banning discussions about the US being inherently racist.

Other states, such as Montana and Georgia, have denounced the teachings and are discussing a ban on critical race theory teachings.

In an interview with The Washington Free Beacon, Ashley Varner of the Freedom Foundation accused the Zinn Education Project of providing “left-leaning propaganda to teachers.”

Teachers in Naperville who’ve pledged to teach Critical Race Theory

Teachers	Thoughts on Critical Race Theory
Jennifer Jackson	“no comment”
Jillian Lesko	I pledge to teach my students the truth—the historical and current day truths.
Steve Macek	“no comment”
Mary Yockey	I'm signing the pledge because all Americans deserve to know all the history of this country in order to be fully engaged citizens in our democracy. Not knowing all the history will, and I believe has, crippled the ability for those ill-educated citizens to think critically and solve the many problems that confront our global community, as well as our local communities.