© 2024 WUKY
background_fid.jpg
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

'I will not ethically erase Black or queer voices.' Celebrated Kentucky teacher tells DC lawmakers that LGBTQ teachers and students feel silenced

2022 Kentucky Teacher of the Year Willie Carver tells DC lawmakers schools are not stepping up to support LGBTQ faculty and students in a May 19, 2022 hearing.
C-SPAN
2022 Kentucky Teacher of the Year Willie Carver tells DC lawmakers schools are not stepping up to support LGBTQ faculty and students in a May 19, 2022 hearing.

Kentucky's 2022 Teacher of Year testified before a U.S. House subcommittee Thursday, warning that LGBTQ students and teachers feel under attack as states move to restrict discussion of highly-charged issues in classrooms.

Willie Carver, a teacher at Montgomery County High School in Mount Sterling who is currently on sabbatical, painted a disheartening picture for House lawmakers hearing testimony on potential classroom censorship.

Carver said schools are not standing behind gay educators and LGBTQ youth, instead siding with parents who want to keep sensitive subjects out of the classroom. He said the result are policies that make many students and teachers feel invisible.

"This invisibility extends to all newly-politicized identities. Our administrators new directive is 'nothing racial.' Parents now demand alternative work when authors are Black or LGBTQ and we're talk to accommodate them, but I will not ethically erase Black or queer voices."
Willie Carver, Montgomery County High School teacher

Despite the awards he's received, including being honored at the White House, Carver told Education Week he's unsure whether he'll return to the classroom.

Media outlets have reached out to Montgomery County Schools' superintendent for comment, but are awaiting a response.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.