fbpx

Celebrating the legacy of Harry and Harriette Moore

As Black History Month comes to a close, FEA President Andrew Spar and Vice President Carole Gauronskas were in central Florida on Wednesday, February 23 to join the Brevard Federation of Teachers, the NAACP, and many others to remember the legacy of Harry and Harriette Moore.  

 Mr. and Mrs. Moore were both educators in Brevard County who began their education careers in the 1920s. They were dedicated to fighting not only for Black students to receive equitable education to white students but for Black educators to receive the same pay as their counterparts in Brevard’s whites-only schools.  

The Moores were warned to stop their advocacy but continued to fight for racial equity anyways. As a result, they both lost their jobs as educators in Brevard in 1946. Even still they continued to organize their community and to fight for justice. On Christmas day 1951, their house was firebombed. The explosion killed Harry Moore and his wife died nine days later from injuries sustained from the bombing.  

 Wednesday’s ceremony honoring the Moores comes the day after the Brevard County School Board passed a resolution posthumously recognizing the Moores as Brevard County Teachers Emeritus. The resolution further stipulates elementary and secondary students will be taught a social studies curriculum titled the Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Legacy Curriculum starting next year. Additionally, 8th grade students will take a field trip to the Moore Cultural Center. 

 After the ceremony FEA President Andrew Spar remarked, “For too long issues of institutional racism have been downplayed or ignored all together in our public schools’ curriculum. This does a disservice to all students when they don’t learn the complete story of our nation’s ongoing struggle for liberty and justice for all. It is refreshing to see the Brevard Federation of Teachers and the Brevard County School Board work together to honor the Moores’ legacy. I am deeply honored that Carole and I were able to attend the ceremony. FEA remains committed to fighting for racial justice for all Florida’s students 

Additional resources 

Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Cultural Complex  

NAACP letter in support of the resolution 

FEA letter in support of the resolution 

Florida Today article on the resolution published 2-20-21 

Florida Today article on the resolution published 2-24-21 

Florida Today article with photo gallery published on 2-25-21

Students Win as Voters Show Support for Neighborhood Public Schools; Push Back on DeSantis Agenda 

Voters throughout Florida showed their support for students and educators in public schools during Tuesday's primary, with school board candidates endorsed by the Florida Education Association and its local unions…

Read more about Students Win as Voters Show Support for Neighborhood Public Schools; Push Back on DeSantis Agenda 

Florida Students Start School Year Facing Nearly 10,000 Teacher and Education Staff Professional Vacancies

Today, the Florida Education Association (FEA) has released the latest data on teacher vacancies in the state of Florida. At the start of a new school year, nearly every district…

Read more about Florida Students Start School Year Facing Nearly 10,000 Teacher and Education Staff Professional Vacancies

$200 Million in Florida’s Budget For Salaries Doesn’t Go Far Enough for Educators

Tallahassee, Fla. (June 12, 2024) – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis has signed Florida’s budget, which still doesn’t go far enough to support parents, teachers and education staff professionals in the state.“Florida is…

Read more about $200 Million in Florida’s Budget For Salaries Doesn’t Go Far Enough for Educators

Member Spotlight: Carla Cundiff, Indian River County Education Association

In serving on IRCEA’s executive board, Cundiff carries on a family legacy. Her mother was a founding member of IRCEA in the 1970s. Cundiff maintains a large, diverse classroom library.…

Read more about Member Spotlight: Carla Cundiff, Indian River County Education Association

Cover Story: Local Profiles — A Growing Union Family

Florida has the fourth largest economy in the United States. In fact, if Florida were a country, it would rank in the top 15 countries in the world for total…

Read more about Cover Story: Local Profiles — A Growing Union Family

High school science teacher receives FEA teaching award

Dr. Claudia Singkornrat, a science teacher at Pompano Beach High School and member of the Broward Teachers Union (BTU), was awarded the 2025 FEA Award for Teacher Excellence at the…

Read more about High school science teacher receives FEA teaching award