Public education is one of the most valuable assets of our community, and our teachers deserve recognition and support for their work. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programs at school are integral to teaching empathy and connection. Curriculums should provide age-appropriate instruction that is not filtered by religion or revisionist thinking. Our children need to develop broader understandings of the world, and develop critical thinking and social skills to be successful.
I stand with teachers for pay raises and for collective bargaining. It’s frustrating to see that passing teacher pay raises is only negotiated in order to pass negative legislation (i.e. school vouchers), or for publicity moves by the super-majority in Utah’s legislature (i.e. the 2024 election year proposal to do away with the income tax that is a primary funding source for education, but “hey, let’s throw a bone and give teachers raises”). We need a priority bill for teacher funding. We need to fight against the initiative to cancel the so-called “CRT praxis” of the conservative right.
I am against private school vouchers that take money from the public school system. Public money should stay in public schools, and vouchers are literally defunding our system of public education.
Regarding children with disabilities in public schools – I have personal connection to this issue. I have a daughter with cerebral palsy and IDD who went through the Jordan District public education system. I was part of the “We All Belong” campaign in 2021 when Jordan School District attempted to consolidate SPED classes and bus students away from their home schools (we won due to public appeal). Removing students with disabilities from our public schools destroys bonds for these students, both abled and disabled. These relationships are critical for students, who form lifelong bonds and shape perspectives on individuality, purpose, and understanding. Representative Teuscher and Representative Pierucci have stated at Town Halls that “difficult students” need to be removed from public schools. This goes directly against federal IDEA and FAPE; it impacts federal funding and the programs that public schools are eligible for. Their opinions are not qualified or supported by the majority of educators and school administrators.
This is what Jordan Teuscher said when talking about the 2023 HB215 Utah Fits All Scholarship voucher program:
“as these students come out of public schools, a lot of time, and I’ve heard this from teachers, a lot of times they’ll have to spend, you know, 80% of their time on 20% of the students because it’s just not the right fit. You know, maybe they have a disability or, you know, a learning challenge or something, they don’t learn the same way. And so if we can get those students into schools that focus on that need, and then the teachers can spend all their time dealing with the other 80% of the teachers [sic] it’s a total win-win for everyone. And that’s what I intend, that’s what I hope to see as it moves forward.“
Jordan Teuscher
I am currently endorsed by Utah Parents for Teachers, and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). I am seeking critical endorsement from UEA as well. If you are interested in my survey responses from UEA and UPfT see the following links:
- https://green4utah.vote/response-2024-utah-education-association-survey/
- https://green4utah.vote/response-2024-utah-parents-for-teachers-endorsement-survey/
I look forward to hearing from you.