By Amanda Menas
It’s time to say, “Bye, bye, Betsy!” and hello to a new education secretary. As President-elect Joe Biden announces his cabinet picks and senior officials, educators are speaking out about what they want to see in DeVos’ replacement. Betsy DeVos served up a four-year nightmare for students and educators by ignoring or attacking public schools to promote private school voucher schemes that siphon money away from public schools. She also removed protections for sexual assault survivors, LGBTQ+ students and educators, and communities of color.
Educators have had enough, and helped get out the vote to elect a president who supports public schools. The Biden administration aims to ensure that all students, regardless of where they live, have access to a high quality education by supporting educators and investing in higher education.
One great step toward that goal would be the appointment of a highly qualified Secretary of Education, who has experience teaching in a public school.
Educators already have a colleague in the White House: First Lady Jill Biden, who is an NEA member. Over this past year, she has made sure educators were heard, hosting conversations around the digital divide, hybrid learning, and other challenges heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic. She even plans to continue working as a community college professor while in the White House.
Joe Biden has credited his wife Jill with helping him understand the realities of the teaching profession and what public schools need to succeed.
Here are what fellow educators want a Biden-Harris Secretary of Education to know about their priorities:
- “Take care of PUBLIC schools – not charters … or vouchers. Public schools are the CONTINUE READING: Here’s what educators want to see in the next Secretary of Education - Education Votes
