"I am a fifth year teacher in a Title I school in Virginia Beach. Our school is predominantly made up of at-risk, disadvantaged African-American students. Currently, schools meeting the requirements to receive Title I funding have a majority of students' families falling below the poverty line. These additional federal funds are to ensure equity; that all students receive the tools needed to succeed.
Scrolling through my social media newsfeed on Tuesday afternoon, I was left in anger and disbelief. I realized that the public school system is under attack, and that much of our government turned a blind eye to this bout rather than consider the millions of students, educators, and families that will be affected. My initial reaction to the confirmation of Mrs. DeVos was that the future of our country had been sold to the highest bidder, costing Betsy personally near $115,000 and her family a combined total of $950,000 in just this election season.
In addition to my outrage at DeVos’s confirmation, I am also filled with fear. My position in my current school as a Pre-Kindergarten teacher relies solely on Title I federal funds. This program was implemented this school year through a Preschool Initial Grant and has already given my disadvantaged students a head start at being successful life-long learners. What will happen to our program? What about the 18 four- and five-year-olds that so enthusiastically run through the door everyone morning, excited about what they will learn throughout the day?
My concern is that evidence shows that Betsy is not only unqualified for the position of Secretary of Education, but also she has a lack of compassion for students. However, after reflecting on my initial anger, I realized that one person will not stand in the way of a quality education for my students. We, as teachers, will still show up to work tomorrow morning. We will still spend hours of our personal time creating dynamic, engaging lessons. We will still create relationships with our students and their families. We will continue to meet students where they are and offer personalized instruction. We will still show our students love and teach them how to love each other. We will continue to speak of all of our children as if they are our own no matter their race, religion, gender, orientation, or place, or origin.
I may not be satisfied with Mrs. DeVos’s role in an area that so personally affects all Americans, but I will continue to fight for students because that's what teachers do best."
