Red Emma’s

Recent decades have seen dramatic changes in the landscape of American public education, including the closure of local schools, elimination of teachers' unions, and local school board takeover attempts. In order to explore the social and political motivations behind these changes, the contributors address questions such as: What tactics are being used to drive this paradigm shift where teachers are the enemy, and schools are harming kids? What events in this sociopolitical moment right now make it ripe for dismantling the democratic experiment of public education? In an age of sound bites and instant news, how can the nuanced-and sometimes hypocritical-narrative supporting public education compete for attention with the seductive, political pablum of reactionary groups?

The voices in these chapters include those of curriculum theorists, policy analysts, education practitioners and leaders, and parents-all of whom engage in forms of activism at the local and/or national level.

Morna McDermott McNulty is Professor in the College of Education at Towson University. Dr. McNulty’s scholarship and research interests focus on democracy, social justice, and arts-informed inquiry in k12-post secondary educational settings and working with beginning and experienced educators.  She is the co-producer and co-director of the documentary film Voices of Baltimore: Life Under Segregation (2018). Publications include Bloods Will: Speculative Fiction, Existence and the Inquiry of Currere (2018), The Left-Handed Curriculum: Empowering Educators through Creativity (2012), and An Activist Handbook for the Education Revolution: United Opt Out’s Test of Courage (2014).

Erika Strauss Chavarria is the founder and Executive Director of Columbia Community Care, a Howard County nonprofit that was founded during the pandemic to provide hunger relief services to her community. Columbia Community Care has been recognized as Best of Howard County Volunteer Organization in 2020-2022, as well as the 2022 Howard County Rise to The Challenge Recipient.  Erika obtained a BS in Political Science and Latin American Studies from the University of Pittsburgh, before obtaining her master's degree from the United Nation University for Peace in Costa Rica and Masters in Teaching from Towson University. Before starting CCC, Erika taught high school Spanish for thirteen years. She is a nationally recognized speaker on topics related to anti-racism and Restorative Justice in education. Erika serves on the board of the Anti-Racist Education Alliance and Racial Justice NOW!. Erika is the recipient of the 2025 Daily Record’s Most Admired CEO’s, 2024 STAND Partnership Award, 2023 The Baltimore Banner’s Emerging Leaders Award, 2023 The Daily Record Maryland’s Top 100 Women, 2022 Howard County Sunrise Distinction Education Hero Award & Rise to the Challenge Award, 2021 Women’s GivingCircle (S)heros Recognition, 2020 Casey and Pebble Willis Making a Difference Award to Girls on Fire Mentoring and Leadership Program of Maryland and the Leadership Council Award, Leadership Council of the Community of Howard County, 2020 Baltimore Sun’s Women to Watch Recipient, 2020 Human Rights Award Recipient, Howard County Human Rights Commission, 2020 Howard County NSBE Jr. "Educator Making a Difference" Award Recipient, and 2017 National Education Association Social Justice Activist of the Year Award Nominee.

Ann Bracken has published three poetry collections and a memoir entitled Crash: A Memoir of Overmedication and Recovery. She served as a contributing editor for Little Patuxent Review and co-facilitates the Wilde Readings Poetry Series in Columbia, Maryland.  She regularly exchanges letters with incarcerated people to foster their use of the arts and offer support for their writing.  Her poetry, essays, and interviews have appeared in numerous anthologies and journals, including Mad in America, Bluebird Word, Little Patuxent Review and Gargoyle. Her poetry has been featured on Best American Poetry, and she’s been a guest on Grace Cavalieri’s radio show The Poet and The Poem. In her spare time, you can find Ann trying out new recipes, sewing and quilting, traveling, or spending time with her family and friends.  Website: www.annbrackenauthor.com