Bookmobile Fredericksburg speaks out against Gov. Youngkin’s teacher tip line

by DANIEL CHILDERS

Staff Writer

College of Education students and members of Bookmobile Fredericksburg have spoken out about Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s tip line for Virginians to report “inherently divisive concepts, including critical race theory” being taught in public schools. People may also use the tip line to report violations of his executive orders.

In an Instagram post, the Bookmobile team issued a statement in support of teachers.

“Over the past few weeks and months, we have seen a concerning increase in distrust and skepticism of teachers at a local, state, and national level that only continues to grow,” the statement said. “Bookmobile Fredericksburg’s mission is to promote literacy, a love of literature, and a passion for learning; all of which our teachers have been working tirelessly to accomplish long before the conception of the Bookmobile.”

Bookmobile Director Hollis Cobb, a junior English major in the secondary education program, has been worried about the future for teachers and their rights. 

“Some Spotsylvania County school board members went as far as suggesting burning books,” Cobb said. “A teacher that has the ability to do their job comes in the form of having some autonomy. We have a lot of control over our teachers already, but teachers emphasize the things that they see important in a child’s education.” 

Kate Jade, associate director of Bookmobile and a junior philosophy major, has heard concerns from students in the College of Education.

“Teachers do so much more than teach,” said Jade. “I’ve heard from friends in their fourth year [of the education program] say they’re worried about what’s going to happen.”

Despite Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to reveal the tip line complaints, Youngkin has maintained that the complaints are not public record and therefore cannot be requested through FOIA, as reported by the Virginian-Pilot. The Govenor’s office has stated in an email that these emails are “working papers and correspondence of the Office of the Governor.”

With an already growing teacher shortage, some students in the College of Education are worried for the future. 

Kiarnan Kaleshefski, a junior elementary education major with an endorsement in special education, is one of those students. 

“We not only have to be a teacher, but we have to be a parent, a counselor and a psychologist,” said Kaleshefski. “We are highly likely to quit teaching because of our rights being violated as teachers.”