Idaho Teacher Stands Ground Over "Everyone Is Welcome" Classroom Signs
- A.R.
- Mar 24
- 2 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
An Idaho middle school teacher has recently gone viral for refusing to remove inclusivity signs from her classroom after district officials claimed they violated policy. This situation serves as a timely and perfect example of why the Our Values Are project is so important right now. In an increasingly polarized environment, upholding universal human values of equality, respect, and kindness has never been more crucial. When even simple messages of inclusion are challenged, it underscores the need for communities to come together and reaffirm the fundamental principles that connect us all.
Sarah Inama, who teaches sixth-grade World Civilization at Lewis and Clark Middle School in Meridian, was instructed to take down two classroom signs. One reads, "Everyone Is Welcome Here" (featuring multi-colored hands holding hearts).
While the other states, "In this room, everyone is welcome, important, accepted, respected, encouraged, valued, and equal."
School administrators informed Inama that the signs violated district policy because they're considered a "personal opinion" in the current political climate. The district cited policy stating, "School property shall not be used by personnel to advance individual beliefs."
Inama believes these messages represent foundational educational values, not personal opinions. After briefly complying, she reinstalled the signs and declined further requests to remove them.
Though warned of potential consequences if the signs aren't removed by year's end, Inama remains committed to her stance. She views this as an important way to advocate for her students and create an inclusive classroom environment.
The Our Values Are project continues to champion these essential values of equality, respect, and kindness, believing that creating spaces where everyone feels welcome and valued shouldn't be controversial but rather the foundation of a healthy society.
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