This position is in direct response to the unprofessional manner and behavior that has been displayed by 2 teachers within the Sierra Unified School District.  As well as the lack of neutrality with these teachers as they conduct instruction. Two specific teachers, Deb Irwin and Karen Low, are not upholding the values of our community members.  Instead, they have repeatedly used their position of influence for personal gain.

As a teacher, it is a responsibility to teach subject matter in a way that is not to purposefully skew the material to their own bias. Students should have no awareness of where a teacher stands on issues of politics or hot button topics that are currently divisive in our state and nation. It is also the responsibility of these teachers to submit it under the authority of administrators, SUSD School Board, and the Superintendent.

On multiple accounts, we have had these two teachers push their political agendas on the students of our community.  In doing so they have outcast students by shaming them in public, discriminating unmasked students by making them unable to enter the classroom, creating a hostile learning environment, and segregating masked from unmasked students.  These events have been reported and documented by many students and parents to date.  

One current politically charged subject is COVID.  Students were told if they were not to comply with the demands of these two teachers, they were either not be allowed in class, or were segregated within the classroom. (The segregation specifically did not honor or recognize the COVID Medical Mask Exemptions already filed, and in place by those who have existing conditions, or who were allowed by SUSD staff to peacefully protest by not wearing a mask in class).  These events occurred prior to SUSD board adopting state mandates within the district.

Additionally, Karen Low has repeatedly gone on social media and displayed a lack of professionalism that SHOULD NOT be tolerated by any well respected School District or their constituents.  In her attacks, she claims community members are stupid, incompetent, racist, having clan mentality,  among numerous other negative and hateful comments.

Both of these teachers are not a representation of the community they are serving, nor should they have the privilege of instructing our children. By signing this petition, you are in favor of having them permanently removed from our district. You are also sending the District a message that we demand a neutral environment for our students to learn.

When signing the petition, please use the “I’m signing because….(optional) area” to provide your full name and address. This verifies you live in the community, or have a child attending SUSD. (If not comfortable), please enter any credible facts that can be verified to help support this cause, but keep it short