Speak Out!

It never ceases to amaze me how some things simply don't change. For example, it amazes me how administrators and teachers refuse to speak to African-Americans and Latinos and then have the audacity to walk into a classroom filled with African-American and Latino children. For those of you who have been brainwashed by the term "Montessori" and assume that your child is getting a quality education, think again. For the most part, these schools are infested with administrators and teachers who have predetermined notions concerning "those people in the inner city". They are arrogant within their own ignorance and act accordingly.

Yes, I know. You were fooled by the "nice building", the "nice website", the "nice literature" handed to you at the open house, and the "nice people" giving you that phony grin. They spoke to you about independence, self-motivation, and self-discipline, right? And if the school is a magnet school, they threw that in your face also. The administration is fully aware that parents are so brainwashed that they believe the presence of white students is equivalent to prestige. They even pepper their conversations with the word "diversity" to mask their discriminatory practices. Everything from the literature to the assemblies to the "cultural affairs" are designed to make the parents and the public think that public Montessori schools are friendly family oriented atmospheres that encourage respect for all people regardless of race, sex, class, ethnicity, or religious preference.

Allow me to enlighten you. A school that uses Montessori materials doesn't make it a Montessori school. Parents, please do the research. A "public Montessori" and a private Montessori are two very different things (same mentality, different entities). If the school is predominantly African-American and Latino, you better believe that the school is probably plagued with a hostile work environment, a climate of disrespect, low standards, and blatant discriminatory practices.

If you don't believe me, just walk around these "public Montessori" schools. The administrators are probably all white. The teachers are probably white with a few well seasoned Uncle Toms in the mix to make it look good. The teacher's aides can be anybody because they are invisible, overworked, underpaid, and disrespected. Ironically, it is the teacher's aide who knows more about your child than anyone else in the building. Teacher's aides tutor your child individually in reading, writing, and math. They are the ones who make sure that the classroom environment is conducive for learning. They are ones who supervise the entire classroom while the teacher may be sitting with one or a small group of students. They are the eyes and ears for the entire classroom. They are the ones who ensure a safe environment for your children during recess. The teacher's aides are the ones who keep abreast of behavioral and academic issues. The administrators and teachers are aware of this fact and try their best to keep teacher's aides from telling parents what really goes on behind closed doors. The teachers take the credit, have a better salary, and have more benefits, but it is the teacher's aide that keeps the boat afloat. Before you decide to send your child to any school, ask to speak to each teacher's aide privately.

The same people who think your children are inferior, the same people who will not open their mouths to say "Good morning", the same people who don't look like you, don't live in your neighborhood, and wouldn't think about sending their children to same schools your children go to, are the same ones who are "evaluating" your child. These are the "specialists" who are suggesting that your child be in special education (or the jail and drug track). These are the people who are creating labels for a population they know nothing about.

Of course, there are two sides to every story. Why aren't these tax paying parents questioning this nonsense? Why aren't parents questioning the "good old white girl network"? If the student population is predominantly African-American and Latino, where are the African-American and Latino teachers? And don't let the fact that you may see people "of color" fool you. The administration will purposely hire people "of color" from foreign countries, those who have a lower opinion concerning African-Americans and Latinos than anyone in the building. The administration, therefore, maintains control by putting the "divide and conquer" game in motion. Likewise, don't let the fact that the head of personnel may be African-American or Latino. If they weren't willing to sell their souls for $2.50, they would have never been a candidate for the position in the first place. Why are the board members, the principal, the vice principal, the office manager, the nurse, etc. all Caucasian? Children learn most by what they see. Imagine the impact this has on the mind of your African-American or Latino child. I don't care how often they use the word "diversity", they are still teaching white supremacy. Oh yes, and did I mention the fact that some of the teacher's aides are being asked to give the white students special treatment? Yes, Caucasian students and parents are being wined and dined by administrators and teachers alike so they can continue to grace us with their presence.

As long as parents are content to rest upon the laurels of generations prior, the educational system will never work for our children. Parents have to step up and take responsibility for the education of their children. The employees who dare tell the truth about blatant discriminatory practices are being told by some puppet in human resources that it's just "your perception". This is the modern method by which racist institutions take cover. Don't depend on the employees to fight for your children because they are being silenced, harassed until they quit, or fired. "Public Montessori" is just another lie wrapped up in a pretty package.