Laura Morris held a teaching position at Lucketts Elementary School. She taught fifth grade and enjoyed her job. When Morris learned that she would have to teach her students critical race theory, she made the decision to abruptly quit her job. After finding out that this subject would need to be taught in her classes, Morris approached the Loudoun County School Board and accused them of forcing an agenda that’s greatly politicized on the students. She decided not to focus on women who are white and of the Christian faith. During a school board meeting, she gave her opinion about the subject and emotionally let everyone know that she would be leaving her school. Even though details in the critical race theory discuss ways that students can see how they can be treated equally in the world and how they could work to stop some of the racial divides that are taking place, Morris didn’t want to teach her students about the equity training that would be involved.
Although Morris has taught for about 10 years, she only taught for five at Lucketts Elementary. Since she has decided that her students shouldn’t learn about race theory, she plans on looking for a job where she has a bit more freedom to teach about the things that she does feel are important instead of feeling as though she has to abide by a school board that might not have her students best interests in mind. Morris doesn’t want her students to learn about the details in the theory that focus on people being treated in the country simply because of their color as these lessons could spark other issues to arise. While talking to the school board, Morris voiced that the theory seems to be one that’s simply part of the agenda by some areas of the government that starts with children and getting them to comply based on the same lessons.
The school district is one of the best in the area, and Morris understands that she has given up a good position that could have resulted in more opportunities in the future. When she was talking to members of the school board, Morris felt her voice waver as she stood up for her students and what they are taught in school. She wasn’t sure if she ever wanted to go back to school after summer break because of the lesson plans that she would need to make. She knew that the school would be full of the latest technology and advancements because it does care about children in that manner but that she didn’t want to be part of a political movement. Over the summer, Morris received emails discussing the teaching of the theory in her classes. After feeling as though her personal life was put in the middle, Morris made the decision to step aside and find another job.
