York Teacher Denounces State Lawmaker

ELMHURST, IL – Days before the Nov. 8 election, a York High School teacher went public with her opposition to Republican state Rep. Deanne Mazzochi.

Over the weekend, Patch was pointed to a letter to the editor that teacher Lindsey DiTomasso wrote to the Daily Herald. It was published Nov. 4.

Over the last year, Mazzochi has criticized the curriculum at York High School, including a planned "racial self-assessment."

The teachers, their union and Elmhurst School District 205's administration have not responded to Mazzochi's statements. DiTomasso's letter broke that silence.

In her letter, DiTomasso endorsed Elmhurst Democrat Jenn Ladisch Douglass for the District 45 seat. Douglass prevailed with 50.4 percent of the vote, though Mazzochi has not publicly conceded.

DiTomasso, a teacher for 27 years, said Mazzochi smeared her professional reputation and others for political gain.

"(H)er education platform continues to reflect hypocrisy," DiTomasso said. "Her constituents should be aware that their state representative, Mazzochi, has attacked teachers with lies, disinformation, and scorn at school board meetings, on social media, in private emails to board members and administrators, and in right-wing web pages, radio and fake news publications."

DiTomasso continued, "While claiming she is advocating for curriculum 'transparency,' Mazzochi's rhetoric falsely asserts that teaching U.S. History from multiple viewpoints is 'biased curriculum.' In addition, she simultaneously opposes social-emotional learning for our students. She has spread disinformation that fake activities and assignments exist, lied in public comments, worked to privately ban nonfiction books and novels and called on Elmhurst public schools to 'clean house' and fire teachers."

DiTomasso accused Mazzochi of taking her cues from a small, well-funded, nationally orchestrated minority determined to turn classrooms into "arenas for wedge issue culture wars."

"The pandemic and the past several years have polarized citizens and severed relationships in our communities, and Mazzochi has played an immense role by rousing grievance, fueling unnecessary fear and touting the unfounded argument that schools have been ideologically compromised," DiTomasso said.

Mazzochi has not returned Patch's repeated messages over the last few weeks.

Mazzochi has called for District 205 to "clean house." She has said the district blocked her efforts to get information on the American studies classes taught by DiTomasso and Kelly DeLoriea.

During curriculum night in fall 2021, Mazzochi said the two teachers refused to give details about their lessons to parents. DeLoriea "ran out of the room," Mazzochi said.

Patch left a message with DiTomasso, but she has not commented before on statements against her.