Power Up!
Paige Turner
“The most common way people give up their power is thinking they don’t have any.” -Alice Walker
Education is under attack at both the state and national levels.
On the state level, Governor Susana Martinez continues her attack on education by taking $46 million dollars from public school reserves that schools are required to keep. Needless to say, many schools will feel a budget squeeze impacting classrooms across our state.
On the national level, President Donald Trump’s choice for the Secretary of Education is the billionaire owner of Amway. Betsy DeVos has no experience in public schools. She never attended public school, her children never attended public school, she has never worked in public schools, and she does not have a degree in education.
I was willing to give her the opportunity to prove herself at the confirmation hearings, I mean, who am I to say a billionaire pyramid scheme owner is not qualified to be Education Secretary. Right? I got cozy in my favorite chair and tried to give Betsy the opportunity to prove herself.
Well…she was rather polite and continually made sure to use most of her time thanking those interviewing her for their fantastic questions and telling them how much she loved meeting with them in private. She also took time to inform us all that she would be taking on the position of Secretary of Education for just $1…what a deal, NOT!
I cringed as I watched a woman with either the lack of knowledge or inclination, maybe both, to answer questions about guns in schools, accountability, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and many other important topics in education. I got slightly dizzy from rolling my eyes at her answers that clearly demonstrated her lack of knowledge and understanding of basic Federal Law. I mean, if you are in a hearing for a job you are fully qualified for, you answer questions to prove you are highly qualified for the position. Right?
After allowing Betsy ample opportunity to prove that she is fully qualified to be the Secretary of Education, I am stunned she is being considered for this crucial position. I am flabbergasted that her nomination passed the House, moving on for Senate confirmation. Is this confirmation rigged?
DeVos is not qualified enough to be hired to teach in a public school, yet she is being considered for the Secretary of Education. She may know a lot about pyramid schemes, but she knows nothing about education.
To nominate Betsy DeVos would be a slap in the face to educators and the children they teach. Our country deserves better! Our students deserve better! Our educators deserve better! We need a leader who believes in public education! Betsy DeVos is not the leader we need!
Quality public education is vital for our future as a nation!
Education in the United States can be saved with just one more Republican vote against DeVos According to reports, Senator Jeff Flake, AZ and Senator Dean Heller, NV are the most likely to be swayed to not vote for DeVos. Please support education and send a free fax through email to Jeff Flake (R) Send Sen. Flake a free fax or Dean Heller (R) Send Sen. Heller a free fax.
We can be saved with just one more Republican vote against DeVos, but to be safe, fax all Republican Senators! https://faxzero.com/fax_senate.php
Feeling a little rebellious? Show your support for free public education for all students by wearing black on Monday! You’ve got the power, so Power Up!
