NEA: Educators encouraged by President-elect Biden’s leadership on helping students and families

WASHINGTON — NEA President Becky Pringle released the following statement responding to President-elect Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan laying out his vision for tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, providing economic relief, and supporting students and educators:

“No one wants to return to in-person learning more than the educators who dedicate their lives to helping their students succeed. Educators are encouraged not only by President-elect Biden’s leadership, but also in knowing that there is finally a true partner in the White House who will listen, value the ideas, and act in the best interest of students, educators, and families.   

“As the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying economic crisis continues to ravage communities across the nation - disproportionately impacting Black, Brown and Indigenous communities – we appreciate President-elect Biden answering our call for more equitable resources and the science-based guidance and programs that all our public schools need to support students and to return to in-person learning. Making these necessary investments is the only way to ensure that school buildings and campuses are reopened in a safe and equitable manner and that all students have what they need to thrive.

“As educators, we have long stood in the gaps where our institutions and policymakers have failed our students – dedicating our lives to helping them succeed when others have overlooked or ignored their needs. We see firsthand how issues such as hunger and housing insecurity impact our students and their ability to learn, and we see how the economic crisis has impacted them and their families particularly in rural, urban, and poor communities. We applaud President-elect Biden’s plan to deliver immediate relief for our students and working families, making investments to help build back better, stronger, and more equitable communities.

“On behalf of NEA’s 3 million members, we would like to thank President-elect Biden for his leadership and look forward to working with his administration and Congress to do what is best for students and families.”

-###-

Follow on Twitter at @NEAmedia and @BeckyPringle

The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org.