Teachers Rail Against Virginia Gov. Youngkin’s Proposed Curriculum Updates

By Sam P.K. Collins, The Washington Informer

If approved, Gov. Youngkin’s proposed history curriculum updates would remove mention of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Juneteenth, and LGBTQ+ history from K-5 standards.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) recently proposed changes to the state’s history curriculum that erases mention of slavery, institutional racism and prominent figures of color, and further centers white conservative ideology and Greco-Roman history as foundational elements of American culture.  

In response to the public outcry against the proposed changes, Virginia’s board of education voted in November to delay the curriculum update so that community input and elements of an earlier version could be incorporated. 

While Youngkin’s latest move sparked disgust and anger from young people and education advocates, at least one teacher said she couldn’t feign surprise, given Youngkin’s attempts and others, to counter a growing fervor for racial equity. 

“This has been seen on the national level, but with the election of Gov. Youngkin, it’s hitting closer to home,” said Andrea Weiskopf, a Northern Virginia resident and teacher of 15 years in the Loudoun County public school system. 

“The groups who are pushing Youngkin’s agenda have discovered that the local school board drives local public schools,” Weiskopf said. 

Weiskopf, a sixth-grade Latin and English teacher, certified to teach social studies, describes herself as an instructor who affirms every student. She said her outlook recently earned her a spot on an enemy list compiled by Youngkin’s supporters. 

Over the last few months, Weiskopf has clashed with a small group of parents at local school board meetings who’ve railed against creating a more culturally inclusive academic environment. Since Nov. 17, when Youngkin released the 53-page proposal, Weiskopf has expressed plans to continue her civic engagement and counter the governor’s ideals.   

“Whether it’s Youngkin’s ‘snitch line’ or the attack on transgender students or this so-called policy on sexually explicit material, it’s all designed as an attack on the public school system to shape America in ‘their’ image,” Weiskopf said. 

Keep reading about this proposal.

Texas recently approved curriculum changes that impact how students learn about slavery.

Check out other Black culture and experience news.