Today in America, our schools are facing a lack of mental-health supports for students, teacher shortages, school shootings, book bans, and more.
A new NEA survey shows that, despite their political differences, the vast majority of U.S. voters share the same concerns about public education today. What’s more, their concerns mirror the concerns of NEA members, who are working hard as school resumes to make sure all students have what they need.
The nationwide poll of 1,000 likely November 2022 voters was split evenly among Democrats (30 percent), Republicans (31 percent), and Independent or independent-leaning (38 percent). Roughly one-third were parents of school-age children.
Despite their differences in party affiliation, the vast majority of voters said they support educators in public schools. Additionally, an overwhelming 84 percent said they trust the opinions of teachers on what should be taught in schools the most.
That’s good news for the 26 current and former NEA-NH members running for office this November including Nicholas Germana, Keene Ward 1, Shaun Filiault, Keene Ward 2, Corinne Cascadden, Berlin, David Hennessey, Pelham, Linda Ryan, Nashua Ward 2, Donna LaRue, Merrimack, Maxine Mosley, Manchester Ward 6, Juliet Smith, Manchester Ward 12, Patricia Cornell, Manchester Ward 11, Donald Bouchard, Manchester Ward 4, David Erikson, Weare, Brendan Denehy, Brookline-Greenville-Mason, Mary Heath, Manchester Wards 2, 4, 5, and 7, Peter Petrigno, Milford, Judith Gaynor Johnson, Weare, Tony Caplan, Bradford-Henniker-Warner, Muriel Hall, Bow-Hopkinton, Mel Myler, Bow-Hopkinton, Jacqueline Wood, Auburn-Candia-Deerfield, Mark Vallone, Epping, Robin Vogt, Newington-Portsmouth Ward 1, William Thomas, Auburn-Candia-Chester-Deerfield, Emmanuel Krasner, Farmngton, Brian Sullivan, Grantham, Virginia Irwin O’Brien, Charlestown-Newport-Unity, Linda Tanner, Springfield-Sunapee.
We’ve always said educators deserve a place at the table when decisions are being made that impact our students, schools and members. Having more and more educators present in Concord when bills are introduced, debated, and ultimately voted upon means our voices will be heard at these crucial moments. More members, and those who believe in the power of public education, in office means we are better able to advocate for our students and our profession, ensure we fulfill the promise of public education, and prepare every student to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world.
We’re asking all our members to Vote Your Future, rally behind these candidates, and help ensure they are sworn in this December.