Teacher Appreciation Week 2022 comes to a close today.
In case you missed it, I wanted to share the opening few paragraphs for an article recently posted on NEA Today about an event they sponsored for educators this week.
“To honor teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week, the National PTA hosted a Facebook Live panel discussion to ask what they need to feel valued and appreciated. NEA President Becky Pringle and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona joined the discussion, which was moderated by Lisa Ann Walter, the actress and comedian who plays second grade teacher Melissa on the hit ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary.”
“Walter, the daughter of a public school teacher, said she is always gratified to hear from teachers who say Abbott Elementary makes them feel seen and understood. She said one of her lines in the pilot really resonated. “It’s a calling,” she says to first year teacher Janine Teagues (played by Quinta Brunson). “You answered.’”
“My respect for you has grown exponentially over the years…And what I wish for you is better,” she said. “Better pay, better resources, and better decisions by policymakers.”
Better decisions by policymakers. That says it all. Better still, how about electing policymakers who actually believe in and support public education.
We’ve been saying for years that elections matter. Up and down the ballot, elections matter. I realize none of us got into education to become politically active, but we can no longer afford to assume that those elected to any office will put the best interest of our children first – or even second or third.
It has become painfully clear that the effort to make our public schools less welcoming and less successful is the number one priority of Commissioner Edelblut.
The Edelblut Agenda consists of promoting and expanding vouchers, the privatization of public education, and the dilution of standards for teaching and graduation. He has made disruption, destabilization, and distraction the centerpieces of his administration.
His agenda is dangerous to students and staff alike and it must be stopped.
NEA-NH believes every student, regardless of family income or place of residence, deserves a quality education. In pursuing our mission, we focus the energy and resources of our 17,000 members on improving the quality of teaching, increasing student achievement, and making our schools safer, better places to learn.
To be clear, there are elected officials and those seeking office that share our mission. They really do exist. And we deeply appreciate everything they do for our students and for us. If only there were more of them in office.
In the coming months, more than ever before, NEA-NH will be focused on protecting our students and their families from the dangerous Edelblut education agenda.
I hope you did indeed have a happy Teacher Appreciation week. Now it’s time to get to work protecting and defending public education in New Hampshire.
Together we are heard and together we are stronger.
In Solidarity,
NEA-New Hampshire President