What’s at stake
The passion and activism educators display toward their students consistently amazes me. Every day, we wake up and think to ourselves, “What can we do to change the world, to make sure that all students have greater opportunity to learn and succeed?” That is our calling. Our efforts to answer those questions are the source of our energy.
For the past year, I have talked to educators nationwide about what is at stake for public education in the 2016 presidential election. And believe me, you have not been shy in sharing your thoughts, hopes, and ideas about the things that will help you serve your students best.
I have read your emails, tweets and your Facebook posts. There will always be room for debate when it comes to choosing which candidate to support, but one thing is abundantly clear: Educators are on the same page when it comes to what our students need from the next president.
There are candidates running for the highest office in this country who have suggested that educators need a good punch in the face; that the best way to control violence in our schools is to put a gun in every classroom; that teacher’s lounges should be banned.
This type of thinking is downright scary.
Instead, we must keep the focus on ensuring that every student has an equal opportunity to get an excellent education, regardless of their family’s income or ZIP Code. That means smaller, less-crowded classrooms that allow for more one-on-one attention, and up-to-date equipment, science labs and textbooks.
To succeed as a nation, we must make college more affordable by fighting tuition increases, lowering student loan interest rates and increasing Pell Grants.
But most of all, we must listen to and respect the professional voices of America’s educators. Educators must have a major voice in deciding what’s best for our students in our classrooms. You know what I know, when all students What's at stake - Lily's Blackboard: