On August 5, 2021 an article appeared on the front page of the New York Daily News describing the removal and destruction of a student mural that was recently hung in the P. S. 295 school cafeteria. Doug Hecklinger was the teacher of four of the six fifth-graders who created the artwork and he was, needless to say, quite upset to hear of the action taken by the school administration.
In our conversation, Doug talks about all of the work that the school faculty, along with the students and their families, put into embracing a culture of diversity and social equity. He gives us a very clear picture of the school community and the mission goal of acceptance that was very unexpectedly squashed when the students’ work was destroyed. He also talks about his hope for the important, healing that needs to now take place.
What an extraordinary conversation. Doug is clearly a teacher of courage, integrity and vision who cares deeply about ensuring that his students, their families and the entire school community’s voices are heard. There are so many unanswered questions that need to be addressed and it’s imperative that there’s accountability for the decisions that were made .Accountability is a concept that is demanded from school leaders and there needs to be reciprocity. Thanks, Renee, for providing a platform for more conversation.
Chery, I think you would enjoy knowing Doug. He’s a true humanitarian. I hope that the school and district rise to his level!