Story + Action: Teachers on DeVos

Tomorrow, the Senate will vote on the confirmation of Betsy DeVos, the nominee for Secretary of Education. DeVos is widely recognized as the least qualified nominee for this position in modern history. Below, nine public school teachers describe why we MUST do everything we can to encourage our Senators to vote no tomorrow.

“My school is a public school in Northern California; while part of a comprehensive school district, we are not what most people think of when they picture “school.” We serve students in grades K-12 in an Independent Study format—students come to us seeking something the traditional sites did not, or could not, provide for them. Recently, many are seeking sanctuary from bullying. One of the reasons I do what I do is that I firmly believe every child needs access to the education that will work best for them. Betsy DeVos does not. DeVos is a hazard to our educational system and to see her installed as the Secretary of Education would be disastrous, as she has clearly demonstrated that she has no understanding of the ongoing mission of education, nor of what teachers do on a daily basis. Her vision of education would gut the public school system which serves 90% of American youth by shifting taxpayer funds to private institutions.  Her lack of understanding and appreciation of the federal law protecting the legal rights of students with disabilities is, in my opinion, criminally negligent.

"Teachers work hard to take students from where they are educationally to where they need to be in order to achieve their goals and participate in our society.  As we cover literature, mathematics, or history with our students we are building the skills in analysis, logical thought, and critical reasoning that will be necessary throughout their lives.  A strong educational system is fundamental to a democracy.  Without these skills citizens are less able to carefully evaluate candidates, issues and events. This is our “Lorax” moment; the Secretary of Education is in the unique position of making decisions for constituents who have little political clout of their own. The kids who have moved through my classroom, or who will at some point, are my kids...they are ALL OF OURS, and our duty is to fight for them.”
-Julie Adams, California

“As a teacher for almost a decade, I am terrified of entrusting my students to Betsy DeVos, especially those with special needs or from low income communities. Before her confirmation hearing, we knew she wasn't qualified, having never navigated the public school system as student or a parent. But it was worse than we thought, and my students and their futures are too valuable to risk.”
-Leigh Pourciau Topp, Louisiana

"As a public educator for nearly two decades, a life long learner finishing a PhD in education, and a product of public schools, I am outraged that DeVos is being considered for such an integral position in our education system. Her views are incongruent with the foundation of American education: a system that has evolved to be inclusive of all learners, a safe space for all children, and a mecca of diversity. Furthermore, her own skills - as evidenced by her online posts - indicate that she has neither the basic understanding of education policy, nor the written language skill to articulate using proper grammar how to improve the system. She seems to be vehemently against something she knows very little about. Is she the person we want making critical decisions about our children's academic future? A critical decision deserves critical thinking. DeVos is not qualified for this job."
-Amanda Ditto Hernandez, California

“Betsy DeVos is a threat to students with special needs. Parents should not have to worry about sending their students to school and not receiving the proper support. She does not support the public school system and wants to privatize education by deregulating charter networks.”
-Roque Perch, California

“As an educator, I push my kids daily to gather information and support their original thoughts with evidence. From that prep work, they are able to deliver and articulate sound and clear opinions to be heard and appreciated. With the confirmation of DeVos, our country is allowing an inexperienced woman to make important decisions that will affect each and every one of our kids. That is not the example to be set for our children anywhere.”
-Kinyette Henderson, New Jersey

“I teach in a very diverse urban environment. My kindergarten students come from a wide range of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds and have a wide range of needs including special education services. These are some of the students who will be marginalized if Betsy DeVos becomes our Secretary of Education. Betsy DeVos doesn't understand the most basic principles of public education or recognize my students' needs as important.

"DeVos also lacks of knowledge about basic education policy - one of the most highlighted parts of her hearing was when she became confused about the distinction between growth and proficiency. It’s ridiculous to think that someone lacking so much knowledge about education could actually hold a leadership position responsible for the overall direction, supervision, and coordination of all activities related to education in the United States.”
-Jennifer, Boston Public Schools

“For educators it would be beyond detrimental to have some like DeVos as Education Secretary. She has minimal knowledge of the true needs of, the inner workings of, and established laws regarding education. I have students with special needs that will suffer at the hands of someone in that position that has no understanding of IDEA. Does it make sense or seem fair to take those students that have been a part of general education programs to suddenly remove them because they have special needs? Absolutely not. There are plenty of other factors in a child's life that hinder their opportunities and education should not be one of them.

“Educators should be able to accomplish our work with every opportunity to be successful and feel we are proud of providing the best education possible for our students. With DeVos as education secretary, those feelings will be left in the wind. I teach because I want my students to know they matter and that they have the potential to be anything they want to be in life. DeVos can cause a great deal if negative change that will hinder that message not just for my students but for students across our country.”
-Maria, Boston Public Schools

"As a teacher, we need a leader with experience in public education, which services the majority of America's students. As a special educator, we additionally need a leader who understands the importance of IDEA, which provides students with special needs the free and appropriate public education that they are legally entitled to. Betsy DeVos lacks an understanding of both these fundamental necessities, and is therefore unqualified for the position of Secretary of Education."
-Laura Anne, Massachusetts

“As a public school educator for over 10 years and the wife of a 30 year veteran teacher, I staunchly oppose the reckless nomination of Betsy DeVos as secretary of education. Not only can someone who has absolutely no experience in the field of education have little insight into the intricate decision making that goes on each second in the classroom and at the district and state level, her failure to properly prepare for her confirmation hearing for the office in question yields her even more unqualified and unprepared. Betsy DeVos's assertion that American school teachers should be paid less, especially in light of more rigorous standards, accountability, and teacher shortages in many states, further exposes her lack of knowledge on the issues facing our public schools today. Further, DeVos's ignorance on one of the most important laws in the field of education (IDEA) that protects the rights of the disabled, over 13% of US public school students, is frightening. In America, we expect our Secretary of Education to not just be an advocate and friend of public education, but also have understanding and vision that is inclusive of all of the students in our schools, no matter their gender, race, religion, sexual orientation. Betsy DeVos has neither the experience nor acumen to lead the department that makes some of the most important decisions to prepare our future citizens and leaders.”
-Amanda Stiglbauer, South Carolina​

Call your senator TODAY. Find their number here: https://www.callmycongress.com/

Use this script:

"Hello, my name is ((name)) I'm a constituent from ((town/city)). I am calling to urge the Senator to vote against Betsy DeVos' nomination to serve as Secretary of Education because her nomination is not in the best interests of the young people of America."

You can also tweet! Sample tweets:
@SenateMajLdr #dumpdevos she is not the right person to trust with our children's education #psn
@SenAlexander our children deserve better than Betsy Devos #dumpdevos #psn

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