As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, Safe Schools extends our heartfelt gratitude to the incredible educators who have persevered through challenging times, including the recent “Don’t Say Gay” legislation and government-led efforts to ban books and try to rewrite history to benefit the few over the masses.

We, however, recognize those efforts as an age-old tool of the fascist playbook. Throughout history, government officials have attempted to limit access to education and censor specific content in the United States. For example, during the McCarthy Era of the 1950s, many books, including those by prominent authors such as Ernest Hemingway and John Steinbeck, were targeted and removed from libraries due to perceived “un-American” content. Fortunately, these attempts to stifle intellectual freedom ultimately failed, and many censored works are now celebrated as literary classics.

More recently, we’ve seen attempts to limit the teaching of critical race theory and LGBTQ+ history in classrooms, impeding the ability of educators to provide a comprehensive and inclusive education to our youth. Despite these hurdles, our teachers continue to find creative ways to teach and support their students, striving to instill a love of learning, critical thinking skills, and empathy for others.

At Safe Schools, we see you, appreciate all you do, and work tirelessly to support your efforts. Let us remember that the best of what humanity has offered the modern world, from groundbreaking discoveries to transformative social movements, began their journey in a classroom guided by a dedicated teacher.

As we face these challenges together, we draw strength from the resilience and determination of educators throughout history who have fought to provide equal access to education for all. With a collective effort, we can ensure that every student, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to learn and thrive in a safe and inclusive environment.

We express our deepest thanks to all teachers who stand strong in the face of adversity, championing the power of knowledge and the importance of inclusivity. Your commitment to educating our youth is inspiring, and we stand with you in the pursuit of a brighter future for all of our nation’s students.

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week from all of us at Safe Schools!

We encourage you to share this information with friends, fellow performers, and allies and join us in bringing awareness to our efforts. Your support is essential for our ongoing work to create safe spaces for all students, regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or expression. Please consider donating to Safe Schools so that we can continue advocating for inclusivity and diversity within the education system.