Reconnecting McDowell County, WV
Readers of Eduflack know I often speak of my roots and connections to West Virginia. I am a proud graduate of Jefferson County High School in Shenandoah Junction, WV (Go, Cougars!) But I am particularly privileged to have served on the staff of one of the greatest U.S. Senators in our nation's history, the Honorable Robert C. Byrd.
Working for Senator Byrd, I was able to see much of what makes West Virginia and the nation great. I had the ability to travel the Mountain State's 55 counties, from its beautiful ranges to its research universities, its large cities to its company towns, its river rapids to its coal mines. Yes, West Virginia has much to be proud of. But it is also a state with communities ravaged by poverty, poor health, and struggling schools.
Which is I was so taken by an announcement made last week by the American Federation of Teachers. On