America's Work Force Union Podcast

Why are the nation’s teachers scapegoated on racial justice and COVID?

Written by awfblog | January 21, 2022

Liat Olenick, a contributor to the Nation Magazine, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her recently published opinion piece, “There Is Something Very Wrong With a Society That Scapegoats Its Teachers.”

Olenick, who considers herself an activist, is a Brooklyn-based elementary school teacher with 10 years of experience in the New York City School District.

She contends teachers are under attack for a variety of issues, including the teaching of systematic racism and asking for adequate COVID protections.

Olenick blamed politicians on both sides of the political aisle for attempting to scapegoat teachers over their own shortsightedness in preparing for the Omicron variant. She blamed liberal leaders in particular, for their silence and not directly supporting teachers.

She also pointed out that from the standpoint of a teacher, the Biden Administration is a welcome change from the Trump Administration. However, she criticized President Biden for failing on his promises to public schools

Listen to the entire episode to learn more about Olenick’s perspective.