Erin Donevan articulated her reasoning for wearing the "Free Palestine" pin as a way to communicate to her students that she was a supportive adult, especially in light of the traumatic events they were exposed to. She highlighted the responsibility teachers have to acknowledge the distressing realities faced by their students, stating, "I was thinking about my students and knowing they all have access to the same Internet I do, and they are seeing these incredibly traumatizing things."
When confronted by Bishop O'Dowd's administration about wearing the pin, Donevan firmly stood her ground, emphasizing that her action aligned with the school's stated commitments to dignity and diversity. She asserted, "I can no longer listen to land acknowledgments at assemblies or cheer along with our O'Dowd elders as they celebrate the Ohlone Shellmound's rightful return ... without insisting on wearing this pin."
The principal's response to Donevan's action outlined the tension between personal expression and institutional policy, as he labeled her resistance as 'insubordination' for not following directives regarding the pin. This indicates a complex interaction between the values of individual expression and school authority, illustrating the challenge educators face when navigating sensitive political issues.
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