My GHEA Rocks!

It looks like Betsy DeVos hasn't learned anything about our nation's public schools in her first few months as Education Secretary. Later today, she's unveiling her plans to cut billions of dollars in public education funding while diverting taxpayer dollars from public schools to unaccountable private schools via yet another one of her voucher schemes. It's time that we educate her about what actually works best for students. Send an email to Betsy DeVos now. Tell her that vouchers harm the 90% of American students that attend public schools, and that she won't get to destroy our public schools without a fight. If DeVos were serious about ensuring that every student has access to a great public education, then she'd be serious about doing what works: resourcing our neighborhood public schools so students have inviting classrooms, class sizes small enough for one-on-one time with educators, and supports like health care, nutrition, and after-school programs for students that need them. We see where DeVos and President Trump's priorities are, and they're not with our nation's students, educators, families, and communities. Email DeVos now, and tell her that her plans are just plain wrong! Lily Eskelsen García President National Education Association Dear MEA member, I used to be one of you. I enjoyed giving my all to the young people I taught at a public school in St. Clair County, but I left my special education teaching job last fall. Or I should say the truth:  I was driven away from the profession I loved. Pay freezes. Dramatically rising health care contributions. Teacher bashing. Educators are continually asked to do more with less: Lower pay. Fewer benefits. Less respect. Now Republican leaders in the House and Senate are coming after school employee pensions – again. And we must speak up to loudly say NO. The people who dedicate their lives to teaching, transporting, feeding, and caring for our children deserve the security of a modest retirement.  There’s no time to waste – Join your voice with thousands across the state who oppose the destruction of school employees’ retirement system by contacting your state lawmakers TODAY.  There never seemed to be enough hours in the day to fulfill the constant demands of teaching. But – like you – I cared. I worked into the evenings and weekends to give my students the best education, only to watch my pay and benefits dwindle with every passing year. Then my daughter Colbie was born. The pension threats from politicians and billionaire business leaders started up again – and that became the deal-breaker for me. I couldn’t entrust my family’s future to politicians who treated me like the enemy. I work at a mortgage company these days, but that doesn’t mean I care less. My wife, Kellyn, is a kindergarten teacher who’s passionate about her mission in life. She wants to work with children forever, and we want wonderful educators to be around for our daughter. We worry about the growing teacher shortage that’s only going to get worse if we continue to undervalue our amazing school employees. You didn’t go into this work expecting a big payday. Neither did I. But we anticipated being treated with fairness, respect, and decency for doing the vital work of educating our next generation. It’s only right – and that’s why we’ve got to fight for it.  Act now to stop this pension attack that threatens the future of public education in Michigan – contact your state Senator and Representative TODAY.  I sincerely thank you for your hard work and sacrifice. Sam Schweihofer