After District 518 vote, science teacher speaks about equity, inclusion

Jan. 26—WORTHINGTON — Last October, Worthington High School science teacher Jose Morales Collazo was

informed by administration

that two flags in his classroom were to be removed; One was the flag of Puerto Rico, the other, an LGBTQ+ pride-themed banner with the phrase "Everyone is welcome here."

On Monday, Collazo received the directive in writing, following

a 4-1 vote

by the District 518 Board of Education last week to remove the flags.

"

The discussion was ugly

," Collazo said. "Hard to hear, but not surprising."

Collazo, who did not appear at any of the school board meetings or listening sessions conducted regarding the flags in his classroom, said he was positive this would be the result of the months-long discussion. Still, he admits it has left him with a heavy heart.

The reason for the removal of the items?

Superintendent John Landgaard has said at school board meetings that he believes the flags to be controversial in nature and do not belong in a neutral school environment.

According to Landgaard, it was not the first time Collazo's efforts for student visibility and inclusivity were denied by administration.

When Collazo first began teaching at WHS, he said he quickly noticed a lack of diversity when it came to celebrations and activities, especially considering the rapidly diversifying population of Worthington.

"It didn't feel very diverse," Collazo said. "I did not see a celebration for Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month or Indigenous Day, those kinds of things, so I wondered if the students would like to see stuff like that."

He said it was never his intention to remove what was traditionally celebrated, but merely to "add and enhance."

"One person asked, 'I think we should include students in our conversations, I think they will know better,'" Collazo said. "That led to the idea of, 'Well, why don't we just have a student group?'"

Collazo eventually organized a student-led group to help plan celebrations for Hispanic Heritage Month, though he quickly realized money was a big issue.

"I realized I was spending a hefty amount of my own money getting all the materials," he said. "Some of them were donated by other teachers, but we spent a lot of money trying to do what the students wanted to do — That's when I got the idea to apply for a club."

Callazo's application for such a club, however, was reportedly denied by Landgaard on the grounds of there being too many clubs already, as well as budgetary concerns.

"It was disheartening. The whole point of me applying (for) a club was to fundraise, and I cannot do that," Collazo said. "It felt like we were not provided as much access as other groups have."

Some students faced hostility for supporting more diverse events, according to Collazo. During one event, a Black History Month poster was vandalized and torn from the wall of the school hallways, he said. Other students allege they were threatened with gun violence for speaking out after the initial decision to remove the flags from Collazo's classroom was made.

"It is our job to prepare these students for career readiness and participation in society. That includes understanding, tolerating and accepting people that are different from them," Collazo shared. "This just shows what we need to do. We need to get these students to engage in these conversations."

Since the school board's Jan. 16 meeting in which the vote to remove the Puerto Rican flag and Everyone is welcome here banner was taken, the decision has gained attention across the state, garnering reactions from publications such as the Sahan Journal and Minnesota Public Radio, as well as from the Minnesota House of Representatives.

A statement released by the Queer Legislators Caucus said the decision was not only disrespectful to Collazo's Latino heritage, but was also a painful echo of the 1948 Puerto Rican 'Gag Law,' which made it illegal to display or possess a Puerto Rican flag.

"This is not just a Worthington issue," Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega said in a Jan. 20 statement. "This is a fight for inclusivity and acceptance in all schools across the country. We cannot stand by and allow our children to be targeted for their identities. We must demand better."

"If you want to know what the students think, check Instagram," Collazo suggested.

Indeed, many students were quick to take to social media following the decision — several rallying under the Sahan Journal article published last week.

"Many think he is forcing his ideals onto students, but he has never tried to force anything," wrote one student. "He has created a safe space in his classroom for many students."

"Why would anyone choose to be a part of the community when it comes with hate," another student wrote. "We raise our voices about loving who you are, but when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community, suddenly it's (the opposite)."

St. Paul City Councilwoman Cheniqua Johnson chimed in as well, saying "I can say wholeheartedly the leadership in Worthington is genuinely the reason we continue to see things like this happen to students (...) It's tragic and sends a very loud message as to what is and is not welcomed or encouraged to shine."

Despite the hardships of the past few months, Collazo said he believes his classes are going as well as ever, and with the support of fellow staff and students, he said he will continue to do "the right thing."

He said he has received much support from students, including cards, stickers and paintings.

In his desk, Collazo keeps a collection of supportive notes from students — and the number continues to grow. Little tokens of appreciation like these, he said, are what keeps him moving forward.

"I was doing what I thought was right for my students, and I still stand by that," Collazo said. "This district has paid a lot of money for me to attend numerous trainings and events

to help me bring equity

and inclusion into the classroom, so all I was doing was implementing what I learned."