Over the past year, AFT Wisconsin members at Solon Springs AFT #3357 have worked with non-binary and LGBTQ students who have been struggling in and out of the classroom. When a teacher identified how students were creating an isolating environment for non-conforming students, the school counselor stepped in to educate students with materials on non-binary gender identity.

This has caused an intense backlash with some district parents. The district issued a letter to community parents apologizing for this curriculum. They also offered to hold a meeting and discuss any concerns, but only one parent showed up. However, two weeks ago a large group of angry parents and community members packed the board meeting to protest this education and demand consequences. The school board will meet again soon to further discuss the matter and decide the fate of our members. The school counselor – a 20-year veteran in the district – faces discipline and is threatened with termination.

I have been so inspired by my conversations with these members in the past few weeks, and how resolutely they are focused on providing a safe and healthy learning environment for ALL students. During this backlash from some parents, they express deep anguish regarding how their students – children – must be hurting from the words and actions of other adults in the community. What it would look like for impacted students to see them forced to leave for providing that education/support, just to appease some parents and capitulate to their extreme politics. The largest single thing driving them is simply their students.

We are working with the local union and some great partner organizations to bring people together around non-binary and LGTBQ education and support in the long term. Both in the classroom, but also the community.

In the immediate future, we are working to organize partners, allies, other union members in the district to show their support for these teachers at this upcoming board meeting. Please reach out if you have friends/family/members/other relationships in the Solon Springs school district and want to help.

However, anyone can stand with these teachers by signing on to this basic statement of support. The members at Solon Springs could use your solidarity no matter where you live around the state or country. They are under attack and afraid. They feel alone and isolated. But they are taking this on because they know it’s the right thing to do. By signing on as an organization or individual below, you are simply saying:

"We are with you. We stand with you and support you. We value our teachers that provide the best possible education for ALL students."

AFT Wisconsin’s mission statement holds that “we are a courageous union whose members collectively forge a future in which working people build just and democratic workplaces and communities.” I am so proud and inspired by these members of Solon Springs AFT #3357 who are living this vision and working together for positive change. I strongly encourage you and/or your organization to sign on below and stand with these teachers if you feel the same too.

Kim Kohlhaas, President – AFT-Wisconsin