Teaching is a career pursued by many out of both necessity and passion, often stemming from childhood dreams of working with young minds.
Kali and Joshua Fontanilla, a married couple from California, shared a deep love for teaching. However, they grew disenchanted with the 'overly politicized' atmosphere within the public school system. Consequently, they made the daring choice to resign from their positions in search of alternative educational opportunities.
They established their own school, named the Exodus Institute, where they are focused on imparting a curriculum distinct from traditional schooling. Instead of imposing their political beliefs on students, they are utilizing their two decades of educational expertise to guide and support students in a new educational environment.
Joshua said: "I'd say that in general, being a conservative or just somebody who believes in traditional American values is something that makes you kind of endangered or marked in the public school system."
"It's gotten to the point in public schools where you can't just mind your own business and keep your politics to yourself, because they push it on everyone that you have to participate in liberal politics."
Kali also remarks on the noticeable changes since they started teaching at their new school. She highlights the absence of certain pressures faced by teachers, such as the expectation to include pronouns in bios or email signatures.
Notably, there was less pressure to inquire about students' pronouns, and Kali sensed that there were underlying agendas among staff members. She observes that tensions tended to escalate at other schools following George Floyd's death in 2020.
Kali has received gifts because she is biracial, but she prefers recognition for her teaching rather than her racial background.
She said: "I don't want to be recognized for my skin color, I want to be recognized for the work I have done as a teach in the classroom."
"What if a white teacher wore a 'white educators matter' mask?"
"It's also making a political statement. Me wearing a black educators matter mask is a political statement."
