Nation’s students, educators need tireless advocate in the White House
Posted: July 24, 2024
The National Education Association announced Tuesday its strong support for Vice President Kamala Harris in her race for president.
NEA President Becky Pringle said, “In 2024, the future of our students, our public schools, and our democracy are on the ballot. With so much at stake, the 3-million-member strong National Education Association—the largest labor union in America—is proudly and enthusiastically announcing its support of Vice President Kamala Harris.
“The choice for the nation is clear: we can elect a president who will make sure our students can live into their full brilliance by prioritizing our public schools or a president who will demonize them and corporatize our schools, minimizing who has access and opportunities,” Pringle added.
Harris prioritizes students, invests in our public schools.
This was an easy decision, Pringle said, noting that “Vice President Harris’ track record speaks volumes, she shares educators’ priorities: supporting our students no matter their race, where they live or how much money their parents make. She has worked to strengthen public education, build up the middle class, and resource our communities.”
“Not only did Vice President Harris help shape the American Rescue Plan, the single largest investment in education, she cast the tie-breaking vote to advance it. And together, the Biden-Harris Administration changed lives – including educators’ lives – by wiping away more than $168 billion in student debt, after years of public service to America’s students and our communities,” Pringle added.
“Vice President Harris has delivered time and again for students and educators, and educators know we can count on her continued partnership in expanding access to free school meals for students, investing in student mental health, working to ensure no educator has to carry the weight of crushing student debt and, doing everything possible to keep our communities and schools safe,” she said.
Maui High math teacher Jodi Kunimitsu serves as the NEA Board of Directors Asian and Pacific Islander representative, and participated in the board’s discussion and vote.
“Because of all the progress that’s been made in the White House with this administration and public education, we know that will continue (with Kamala Harris as president),” Kunimitsu said, “and even if she’s not going to have the exact same policies or thinking as President Biden, the door is open to have that conversation.
“There’s just no other option unless we want to go back 243 years,” Kunimitsu concluded.
The alternative will make life harder for public school educators across the country.
“Our students’ futures will be shaped by the decisions made in the Oval Office over the next four years. The time is now to unite behind Kamala Harris, a champion for students, public education and working families, rather than a convicted felon who wants to tear down our nation and destroy our democracy so only the wealthy can benefit. Now is the time to reclaim public education as a common good and to elect a leader ready to work hand in hand with educators to promote, protect and strengthen our public schools,” Pringle said.
By contrast, Donald Trump always puts himself first and hires inexperienced people who do the same. He appointed the least qualified Secretary of Education in history, one who never set foot in a classroom yet devoted her entire career and millions of dollars to pushing vouchers that take money away from our public schools.
You can make a difference.
Our primary election takes place Saturday, Aug. 10, and the general election takes place Tuesday, Nov. 5. Make a difference by casting your vote for candidates who will continue to invest in public schools so our keiki can safely learn, eat healthy meals, and get the mental health support they need.
The NEA represents educators in every congressional district nationwide, including teachers, bus drivers, custodians, librarians, college professors, and school support staff, including more than 13,000 public and charter school educators in Hawaiʻi.