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Opinion...

NEA members make schools work, strong

by KNEA President Christy Levings

In my life I've been called student, wife, mother, grandmother and, for 32 years, "teacher." I became a teacher to make a difference in the lives of children.

A quality public education is critical to democracy and the foundation of economic growth. Every day educators work at preparing students to be responsible, hard-working citizens because all know the role of an educated citizenry in a free, democratic nation.

Educators know we must do our best to help all students and it is hard for us to accept a political agenda that challenges the core belief that America's dreams and promises must be open to all. There are some who believe that the American dream is only for a few; that America's promise is not for those who do not look like them, or worship with them, or speak their language. But in the heart of every educator is the desire to deliver a quality public education for every child.

Kansas NEA strives to make educators successful at work so that students are successful in learning. We are committed to quality public schools, a highly qualified teaching force, and the ability of our members to do the job of serving students. It is our only work because the impact of that work on our state and nation is immeasurable. President Lyndon Johnson said that the fight for freedom occurs as much in the classroom as on the battlefield. NEA members make our schools work each day to keep our nation and its future strong.

When children play at "gossip," the results can be hilarious. When adults spread tales and misinformation, it is seldom fun and the motives are never pure. There are some who use inaccurate "facts and numbers" to discredit the members of NEA. They seek to silence us - to muffle the voice of advocacy for America's public schools and America's children. Their misinformation feeds an agenda of unregulated charter schools and vouchers that strip neighborhood schools of funding. It is an agenda of exclusion; it does not help all students but profits those who press it both politically and financially.

Kansas schools are among the best in the nation. Our citizens will not be misled by those whose agenda is so transparent. I encourage you to thank those who work to make our public education system so strong. Let's all work for the future of Kansas. Let's make this state and our nation ever stronger and more secure by investing in our public schools.

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