Education

I protest because 'it sends a message' to students -- Detroit teacher Torie Anderson

June 04, 2020, 10:11 AM

Torie Anderson sees her roles as high school educator and activist as inseparable. "Themes of racial justice and protest echo through her lessons," Chalkbeat Detroit posts above an interview with the English teacher at Davis Aerospace Technical High School in the Jefferson Chalmers area.

Anderson joined a demonstration outside police headquarters Tuesday afternoon, Koby Levin writes:

Her nerves were outweighed by a feeling that it was a teachable moment for educators like her.

"Even my former students have been messaging me and posting about [the protests] on Facebook," she said. "It's a joy to see them speaking out and using their voices."


Torie Jenelle Anderson: "I have to practice what I preach." (Photo: Facebook)

Excerpts from the education news site's conversation with the 35-year-old master teacher:

Just being visible sends a strong message. The president has talked about getting the military involved, and I think a lot of people are afraid now. But I think that should inspire us to do it even more.

It sends a message: "Hey, my teachers are down there advocating for my life." All of our students pretty much in are students of color. We need to be visible. ... I have to practice what I preach. ...

We’re still teaching [online]. Yesterday I just made the decision to stop using the district’s curriculum for now. We're reading "March" by John Lewis. I'm reading it to them over Zoom and asking them questions about it.

That’s what being culturally responsive means. This is what's going on in America right now.

They're very used to this kind of conversation in my classroom.


Read more:  Chalkbeat Detroit


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