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Teacher criticizes sexually explicit book allegedly given to Illinois students: 'Appalling'


(Photo: Deerfield Public Schools)
(Photo: Deerfield Public Schools)
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A longtime teacher is questioning why an Illinois school district allegedly gave middle school students a book discussing various sexual acts, including oral sex.

Catherine Armstrong, a 25-year educator and mother of two, claims her daughter was given the book "Laughing at My Nightmare" during an English Language Arts (ELA) class in Deerfield Public Schools (DPS).

"Laughing at My Nightmare" is a memoir of Shane Burcaw, an activist and YouTube personality who has spinal muscular atrophy.

Armstrong claims "Laughing at My Nightmare" was one of two books her daughter, who is in eighth grade, could select for a "book club" unit focused on "modern day civil rights" and "marginalized groups." She says she was aware of some "inappropriate language" in the book prior to her daughter reading it, but she refrained from alerting DPS out of fear of being regarded as "that parent who's complaining all the time."

However, Armstrong says that while assisting her daughter with homework recently, she learned that the book discusses Burcaw's experiences with oral sex and masturbation.

Now, imagine my daughter, with that little pink hat on, reading this in school. I am not only coming from a parent's lens, but I am also an educator, " Armstrong said to the DPS school board last week. "This content is appalling."

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Armstrong noted that a common rebuttal to parents' concerns about school content is that "kids have access to this online." She told the DPS school board that she monitors her children's online habits, and she believes that any school would "block" a student from searching for sexual content on a school-issued computer.

I trust the schools," Armstrong said. "I don't want my child accessing it online, and yet, the school is presenting them with this information."

Armstrong emphasized that she is a "total advocate" for both education and teachers. However, she urged DPS to exercise closer scrutiny when approving classroom materials amid what she feels is an ongoing "teen mental health crisis."

I think as educators, we really need to take a step back and really kind of watch or look at what we're presenting to our students," Armstrong said, adding that she has received "limited feedback" when bringing these concerns to DPS leadership. "What I ask is that you at least read this book that's being offered to our eighth graders as a book club."

Crisis in the Classroom (CITC) reached out to DPS for comment, as well as to confirm if "Laughing at My Nightmare" was given to students, but did not receive a response prior to publication. This story will be updated if a response is received.

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