Afraid To Return To School, Tampa Bay Teachers Speak Out

TAMPA BAY, FL — Tampa Bay educators will join Teaching for the Culture for a live Facebook and YouTube discussion Sunday titled, “Afraid to Return.”

With the surge of coronavirus cases, some educators say they are afraid to return to school this month because they feel they are risking their lives in the classroom.

Bianca Goolsby, founder of Teaching for the Culture, said Tampa Bay educators have complained about experiencing stress and trauma during the first semester of school this year. Among the stressors mentioned was having to simultaneously teach children in the classroom as well as online. Other teachers complained that safety protocols were not routinely followed, putting teachers, support staff and students at risk.

"We can not forget the obstacles pre-existing COVID-19’s appearance," said Goolsby. "We still lack the true framework to educate our children because we have failed to dismantle, reform and innovate the American public education system."

The live discussion will take place Sunday, Jan. 3 at 4 p.m. It can be viewed on Teaching for the Culture's YouTube channel or its Facebook page.

Teaching for the Culture is a movement to spark positive change within the education system in Tampa Bay through advocacy and activism.