Veteran Trumbull teachers Lynn Brown and Carolyn Collins think of their Hillcrest Middle School social studies classrooms as places where history comes alive. Through research, inquiry-based learning, and civil discourse, their eighth-graders talk through current events and connect what’s happening around them with circumstances in other places and times.
“Our goal is for our students to not only be informed but also empowered,” says Brown, who, together with Collins, was part of the team that authored their district’s eighth-grade social studies curriculum modeled on the concepts, language, and essential questions laid out in the Connecticut Social Studies Framework. Over the years, hundreds of parents who’ve come out to Hillcrest Middle School’s open house or heard their children reflect on their learning have told Brown and Collins the same thing: “I wish I was in your class.”
Meeting the moment
With national attention and student interest focused on issues of immigration and race, and with a diverse student body that includes children of immigrants and children of color, Brown and Collins have taken up topics related to the recent actions of ICE and the historic persecution of marginalized communities and restrictions on human rights. Before these lessons took place, they met with their principal, discussed the topics they were preparing based on students’ expressed interest, and were led to believe they had their administrator’s full support.
“Our students were grateful for the opportunity to talk about these difficult, relevant subjects, respectfully share and debate widely ranging opinions, make connections with each other, and draw parallels between present and past,” says Brown. “All of this was apparent in their reflections.”
“We’re proud that our classrooms are a space where we can have brave, meaningful dialogue, where students learn to listen for understanding, and where they understand that they can disagree with civility,” Collins added.
The parent of one student in Brown’s class took issue with the lesson, however, and a social media onslaught against the teacher ensued. Some posters on a controversial social media account called for Brown’s termination—and worse. Anonymous posters suggested blockading the school, visiting Brown’s home, and showing up at the athletic fields where her children practiced and played. Most commenters were neither parents of school-age children nor Trumbull residents. Equally troubling, the district’s top administrator turned on his own.
About face
“Instead of backing this well-respected teacher, the district sent an email to all parents claiming the assignment in question was not part of the curriculum—which is not true under any reasonable reading of the curriculum,” CEA UniServ Rep Mike Casey explains. “It was labeled an ‘inappropriate way to support student learning,’ and the email suggested personnel action was being taken in response.”
“The fact is, our teachers were sticking to the very curriculum the Trumbull Board of Education reviewed and approved—and then being scrutinized for it,” says Trumbull Education Association President Nick Banks. “That’s wrong from a labor standpoint and, frankly, from any other perspective.”
Class discussion, historical texts, and primary sources—including period pieces such as this artwork depicting American colonial resistance to British taxation—are all part of the way Lynn Brown brings history to life for her students.
“We fear that the number of threats of violence against teachers and students in Trumbull has increased under the current administrative leadership,” TEA Vice President John Evans adds. “We have been asking them to do more to address the escalation, because it’s created a safety issue for our school community.”
Both TEA and CEA stepped in to defend Trumbull teachers and push back on the superintendent’s public criticism. Union leaders called for a meeting with administration and asked the district to send a follow-up email to parents correcting the misinformation.
The superintendent instead called Brown into a meeting and accused her of insubordination.
Those actions, union leaders say, have a chilling effect on all staff.
“When a teacher with this kind of experience and credibility is not supported, when teachers are put under a microscope and bullied, imagine the impact on their colleagues,” says Banks. “We have colleagues who teach Elie Wiesel’s Night and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, and they’re losing confidence in their ability to do that. They don’t want to open their families to the kinds of attacks that Lynn’s family has been subject to.”
“Today’s teachers face not only intense scrutiny but also great personal risk for doing the jobs they were trained and hired to do,” notes CEA President Kate Dias. “Educators are being hit with threats to their profession, families, privacy, and personal safety, and that’s unacceptable. What’s equally unacceptable is having administrators open their teachers up to attacks, caving to political bias or pressure, or even worse, using their positions to advance personal political preferences over objective and balanced civil discourse.”
Standing up, speaking out
In a meeting with local legislators, Trumbull teachers and union leaders expressed deep concerns about how vulnerable educators are to harassment, intimidation, and unfair discipline and termination. Legislators agreed and have vowed to support CEA’s effort to enshrine better teacher protections into law this year.
Also pushing back against the attacks on Brown are parents and students.
“She was my teacher and was the absolute BEST. She does not deserve this hate,” one student publicly posted.
“Mrs. Brown is a great teacher, and people saying otherwise never had her,” said another.
“I am writing to share my support for the teacher who has recently faced criticism online regarding an 8th grade social studies assignment,” a Hillcrest parent wrote directly to district leaders. “The lesson promotes civil discourse, perspective-taking, and critical thinking—cornerstones of a meaningful social studies education and essential skills for our students to navigate the world responsibly. The learning objective clearly asks students to prepare for thoughtful dialogue, encouraging them to share ideas respectfully and appreciate differing viewpoints.
“Students are exposed daily to debates about immigration, history, and social issues; it is crucial they learn how to engage in those conversations. What is truly troubling is the personal attacks and harassment directed toward this educator. No teacher should ever face threats or online vitriol for creating lessons that meet academic standards and promote thoughtful learning. Allowing fear and social media outrage to dictate what teachers can discuss would erode the very purpose of education. The Board of Education has an obligation to support its teachers when they act professionally and in line with educational best practices. Yielding to public pressure undermines both educator morale and the credibility of our school system. I urge the Board to publicly stand with this teacher and reaffirm that Trumbull Public Schools value respectful dialogue, critical thinking, and educators who courageously prepare students to engage with complex issues. Thank you for your attention and for standing by our teachers and the integrity of public education.”
