“Critical thinking? He said looking at both sides fosters critical thinking skills?” I type the words into a blank note, then add a header: Education Commissioner’s Comments.

“That’s what he said. I have a recording of it.”

“When did this happen?” Cade asks.

“He was speaking at the New York Teachers Convention this afternoon. I caught him on the way out and was able to ask him about it.”

“Wow.” Cade gets up and moves to my side. I scoot over, pat the chair for him to sit with me. Even the top educator in New York is against us.

“My boss would like to post my article within the hour. I already have a strong response from the deputy director of Humanity for Peace and Justice, Nathan Goldstein, but I would also like to include your thoughts.”

“What about Lissa Chen?” I ask.

“Nathan is her boss.”

Cade and I share a look. “Can you tell us what Mr. Goldstein said?” I ask.

“He contacted Commissioner Munro’s office and asked him to review the assignment closely, stating that the assignment is not only an affront to the Jewish people, but all humanity. It’s his strongest recommendation that the commissioner ask the school to apologize to the students for requiring them to defend the Nazis’ points of view and to rescind the debate. He said, and I quote, ‘Cade and Logan are brave teens who deserve not only our support, but our deepest respect and gratitude.’ ”

I’m so surprised I temporarily lose my ability to speak. Cade stops rolling a pencil back and forth on my desk.

“Can I get a quote from you two?”

I let out a shaky breath. “Sure. Would it be okay if we email you a statement?”

“Absolutely, and I appreciate it,” Bethany says. “Take your time, but not too much time.”

* * *

I get up and pace in front of my desk. “Why would he comment without fully reviewing the assignment?”

“Who knows? It defies logic. This entire situation defies logic.” Cade opens a new email on my laptop. “You fed me pizza and fries and made me feel a thousand times better about bailing at the grocery store, so I’ll type.”

It takes us a half hour to finish our response. I trade places with Cade, read our statement out loud, and tweak a few words.

“This is good,” Cade says.

“Ready?” I ask.

He nods and I hit Send.

—

Forty-eight minutes later, the Lake Towns Journal article “NY Education Commissioner Munro Defends Final Solution Assignment” goes live.

COMMENTS:

NYRes4ever

I’m outraged! Not only should this teacher be fired, but it’s time to show Munro the door.

8 Like Reply

Instructor1

@NYRes4ever