Mark Messmer on Teachers Unions Promoting Antisemitic Ideology in K-12 Schools

Teachers Unions and Antisemitism

• 🎯 Teachers unions across the nation are accused of being consumed by antisemitic ideology and activism.
• 💡 An example from Southern California highlights a joint ethnic studies commission by the Los Angeles Union School Unified School District and UTLA, which includes union representatives overseeing mandated ethnic studies courses and professional development.
• ⚠️ This professional development is described as problematic, recommending curriculum that includes gender-specific courses and advocating for salary point credits for ethnic studies teachers, thereby incentivizing the insertion of this ideology into classrooms.

Problematic Curriculum and Ideology

• 📚 Curriculum adoption from sources like Brown University and the promotion of materials such as "Woke Kindergarten" are cited as examples.
• 👶 The use of children as "foot soldiers" for ideological battles, exemplified by third graders reciting phrases related to conflict, is deemed unconscionable.
• 📣 Records obtained through FOIA requests show leaders of the "Educators for Palestine" caucus sharing these materials and encouraging participation, creating a "super highway" for hateful information.

Impact on Jewish Teachers and Students

• 💔 Jewish teachers are reportedly being abused and left unsupported by their unions when antisemitic materials are disseminated.
• ⚖️ Lawsuits have been filed against teachers associations, such as the Portland Association of Teachers, for distributing anti-Israel teaching materials and co-authoring guides that promote a singular anti-Israel perspective.
• 🗣️ The phrase "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" is defended by some unions, despite its recognition as a call for the elimination of Israel.
• 😥 Exposure to antisemitic messaging can make Jewish students feel their identity is invalid, increase their insecurity, and cause shame or embarrassment.

Accountability and Union Membership

• 🚫 Current mechanisms to hold faculty accountable for promoting antisemitic rhetoric are deemed insufficient, as education codes are often not followed.
• 🔒 While the Janus decision allows public sector union members to leave, private school teachers in private unions may not have the same option to voice discontent.
• 🤐 The silence of some teachers unions in cases of teachers being targeted or attacked is noted as unacceptable, with a call for greater defense of educators.