The “State of Education” shows public support for teachers

Posted on March 24, 2021
Kathi Griffin, president of the Illinois Education Association, says preparing both in-person and online lesson plans is taking a toll on Illinois teachers. (Photo courtesy: IEA)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – The “State of Education” shows public support for teachers, according to the state’s largest teachers union. 

Illinois Education Association president Kathi Griffin says Illinoisans agree: the pandemic makes teaching and learning more difficult.

“There is broad support for IEA’s health- and safety-related standards for schools during the pandemic,” Griffin told a Zoom news conference Tuesday. “Illinoisans believe the teacher shortage is cause for concern and that COVID-19 will only make the problem worse.”

Also, the public supports policies to attract and retain teachers and support staff — and higher pay for teachers.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]. 

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…