A Houston-based crochet protest group called Houston Stitching Together brought bold visuals and heartfelt advocacy to the 2025 Art Car Parade, rolling out a life-sized puppet of HISD Superintendent Mike Miles and a colorful, yarn-covered car to protest state education reforms.
The 2025 Art Car Parade of Houston turned into a venue for activism. On Saturday afternoon, members of the crochet-based education advocacy group Houston Stitching Together brought out their most audacious protest yet: a car covered in hand-stitched phrases topped with a papier-mâché puppet of HISD Superintendent Mike Miles.
Founded by Jessica Catrett, the group responded to the Texas Education Agency's takeover of Houston ISD and the application of Miles' New Education System (NES), which detractors claim favors standardized test preparation over classroom innovation and autonomy. After her son's principal was let go and Crockett Elementary switched to the NES model, Catrett, a parent there, became active.
Bright crochet panels sewn with inscriptions like "Let Teachers Teach" and "Support Our Schools" covered the protest car. A billboard calling HISD "bring back books" pointed at the district's divisive choice to limit in-class reading and transform libraries into "TEAM Centers."
Catrett said teachers should be trusted to teach. "This top-down system is emptying the delight from our classrooms."
Former HISD teachers strolled beside the car, each sporting a red T-shirt bearing personal notes on departure from the district on the rear. For some, including member Melissa Yarborough, the last straw was being informed that students couldn't read books during class.
Along with distributing wildflower seed packets, the automobile featured QR codes that were connected to advocacy groups and petitions. While uniting teachers, parents, and supporters, Catrett hopes the striking presentation draws attention to the problem.
"It's about solidarity building and story sharing," she remarked, indeed, bringing some happiness into the struggle.
