Go behind the scenes at NEA’s presidential candidate interviews
Educators are keeping public education a central focus of the 2020 presidential election following wins for students and schools across the country during 2019 races. Parents, students, teachers, and support staff have carried the Red For Ed spirit into rallies and electoral work, calling for greater investment in public schools and expanded opportunities for all children.
Leading up to the 2020 election, NEA members are leading the charge in selecting a new president. NEA has invited ALL presidential candidates to participate in its candidate recommendation process. That process includes getting to know members, listening to their concerns and hopes, and engaging with them on issues that affect our schools, our students, and our communities.
It starts with a candidate questionnaire. Then participating candidates sit down for a recorded interview with NEA President Lily Eskelsen García. Last week, NEA publicly released the five videos that are available at this time.
“Our priority is listening to our members, letting them continue to lead this process, and lifting up their voices so that every candidate is not only hearing from educators, but also directly answering their questions about how to expand opportunities for our students by strengthening our neighborhood public schools,” said García.
García presented each candidate with a variety of the most frequently asked questions submitted directly by NEA members, including how a candidate would select a Secretary of Education, increase educator pay, and more.
Sen. Michael Bennet applauded a question on immigration reform as a former Denver superintendent, saying, “There are [other] education policy questions you could be asking and instead what you’re doing is using this time to advocate for the kids in my school district. I deeply appreciate that.”
One subject on which the candidates agree is that we need a new Secretary of Education. Sen. Amy Klobuchar says one of her first moves in education will be to replace Betsy DeVos. What qualities would she look for in a Secretary of Education? ”You want someone who doesn’t just have the head for this work, but also has the heart,” said Klobuchar, whose mom was a second-grade teacher and active union member.
During the interviews—all of which are available at StrongPublicSchools.org—the candidates agreed on the importance of involving educators in decisions that affect public education.
“When the educators fight, CONTINUE READING: Go behind the scenes at NEA’s presidential candidate interviews - Education Votes
