Providence Students oppose non-renewal notices to non-binary educators; Call for transparency from State and District leaders

"Removing LGBTQIA+ educators not only erases role models for queer students but also sends a message that our identities are not welcome,” said 11th grader Maya Hiwasaki-Ohira.

On February 14, three non-binary educators and organizers with the Providence Caucus of Rank and File Educators (PVD CORE), a caucus of the Providence Teachers Union, received non-renewal notices, effectively ending their teaching careers in Providence Public Schools.

These non-renewal notices come with little explanation against the backdrop of a hostile federal political climate targeting the LGBTQ+ community, union organizing, and public education as a whole.

“It is so important that youth feel represented in their schools. Removing LGBTQIA+ educators not only erases role models for queer students but also sends a message that our identities are not welcome,” said Maya Hiwasaki-Ohira, an 11th grader at Classical High School and a youth leader with Providence Student Union.

“As someone who has siblings in Providence schools, it’s important for them to learn to love themselves as they are. These teachers inspire students all over Providence to have the courage to be themselves and help others. PVD CORE shows up consistently to build community with youth leaders, offering their ideas as teachers to improve Providence schools,” said Jesslynn Melendez, a former student at Central High School and youth leader with OurSchoolsPVD.

In December, OurSchoolsPVD¹ hosted a youth-led community conversation with over 100 participants about the future of Providence Public Schools. Participants prioritized the need for Providence to retain and support teachers who advocate for students and reflect on their lived experiences.

“Having teachers with diverse backgrounds makes a difference,” said Nya Isom-Agazie, an 11th grader at Providence Career and Technical Academy and a youth leader with ARISE and Providence Student Union. “During our community conversation, students voiced their concerns about many of the teachers they love being taken out of their schools. The teachers that truly care are changing kids’ outlook on school, and to get rid of them is a great disservice to the youth.”

“OurSchoolsPVD works towards a vision of dollars, democracy, and dignity in Providence Public Schools, which requires that we have affirming teachers across lived experiences,” said Milia Odom, an 11th grader at Central High School and a youth organizer with ARISE. “These teacher organizers have shown up for the community inside and outside of the school building. They’ve supported us throughout our school years, so in return we must show them the same support.”

Last spring, student organizers in Providence led a school walkout after nearly 60 teachers received non-renewal notices. This illustrates how students are impacted by removing supportive teachers from their schools and the lack of transparency in decision-making.

“Unfortunately, it seems as though we are in the same exact position we were in nearly a year ago. Our demands for more transparency within the District have yet to be answered. Students, families, and teachers remain in the dark about important decisions that could greatly affect the trajectory of our experiences within PPSD,” said Julianna Espinal, an 11th grader at Classical High School and a youth leader with Providence Youth Student Movement (PrYSM), who was part of last year’s walkout.

OurSchoolsPVD encourages youth and community members to attend tonight’s school board meeting, testify in solidarity with PVD CORE, and support Council President Rachel Miller’s call for transparency and accountability from Superintendent Montañez and Commissioner Infante-Green.

For more information about OurSchoolsPVD, you can visit @OurSchoolsPVD on Instagram.

1. About OurSchoolsPVD: OurSchoolsPVD is a community alliance of Providence youth-led organizations and allies, including the Alliance of Rhode Island Southeast Asians for Education (ARISE), Providence Youth Student Movement (PrYSM), Providence Student Union (PSU), Youth In Action, Young Voices, Parents Leading for Educational Equity (PLEE), Rhode Island Center for Justice, and the Center for Youth and Community Leadership in Education (CYCLE), working towards education justice in PPSD. OurSchoolsPVD came together in 2019 to ensure that State control of the Providence Public School District (PPSD) results in an educationally just and equitable system that adequately serves and centers the voices and leadership of all students and families. Grounded in our collective work, which for decades has pushed for asset-based, youth and community-driven visions for our public schools and communities, OurSchoolsPVD is excited to bring together an intergenerational alliance of grassroots organizations and allies to build the power we need to create the school system Providence youth and families deserve.