MCTM Statement Regarding the Death of George Floyd
Minnesota Math Educators,
After witnessing the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers and the burning of our cities, our Minnesota community is angry, frustrated, and grieving. Our Minnesota community is also coming together to peacefully protest injustice, clean up the streets, bring food and supplies to people in need, and to support our Black friends, Black neighbors, Black colleagues, Black families, and Black students. As an organization of Minnesota math educators, this is a time to stand up for change. We must not tolerate acts of racism, hate, bias, or violence. We must do better.
MCTM is an organization of professionals dedicated to promoting the teaching and learning of meaningful mathematics for all students by supporting educators in their efforts to improve mathematics instruction.
We teach more than math. We teach humans and humanity. Teaching meaningful mathematics and supporting educators means nothing if our BIPOC students and our BIPOC educators are not being seen, heard and valued. As mathematicians, we push each other and our students to “Notice & Wonder”, to find patterns in the world, and to use mathematics as a tool to analyze situations. What are the patterns of systemic racism in our school and classroom structures that we uphold through our direct actions and/or our silence? We need to notice these patterns and then disrupt and transform. As teachers, we have the power to intentionally engage in practices that amplify the voices of the unheard and take part in dismantling racism. In partnership with our national organization, we are committed to a position of social justice that challenges the roles of power, privilege, and oppression. Thank you to MathwithmeMN co-creator, Morgan Fierst, for creating a video for her fellow white math educators. This video is intended to prompt teachers to critically reflect & actively disrupt now AND while planning every single lesson they teach. She starts us with, “Who cares if you can find the beauty in mathematics…when we cannot find the beauty in every human…” I urge you to watch this video (embedded below). (This video contains violent photos – to which Black educators may not want to be further exposed) Then, engage with your colleagues and discuss the actions your team will take to intentionally work to dismantle the systems of oppression that permeate our educational system.
Please take time to read statements from our national organizations.
There are links to many resources to support this work.
Look for upcoming opportunities to work with and/or join the MCTM Equity Committee. Educators from all parts of the state: your voice, your perspective, and your participation is critical to our work moving forward.
Courtney LaRoche
MCTM President
Education Minnesota has also published a list of resources.