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Sharon Adams, Rensselaer, IN
Music Educator, North Newton School Corporation
Founder, Republicans for Glenda Ritz
How can parents get involved in advocating for public schools?
“Parents can get involved by talking to their friends, neighbors, and families. The world needs to know that this is not a one-party issue. We have to unite as one big team for harmful legislation to be reversed. Together we can move mountains!”
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Phil Arnold, Indianapolis, IN
2nd Grade teacher at Indian Creek Elementary
Founder of Hoosier Voices for Public Education
What keeps you going?
“I am motivated daily by the constant attacks on public schools by politicians around the US and the frustrations of my fellow educators and parents in dealing with the barrage of inappropriate and devastating "reforms" constantly thrown at public schools in wild attempts to celebrate and promote privatization and profits for the elites. Public education is the foundation of schooling in America and public schools are now the target of political agendas to turn schooling into a for-profit market.”
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Stephen Eric Bryden, Fort Wayne, IN
Teacher, FWCS
All-around activist/advocate
Why is public education important to you?
“The rage and frustration I often feel would eat me from the inside if I were not to use it as fuel for external actions. I refuse to stand by as developmentally appropriate education gets chipped further and further away by a system of global businesses whose interests lie in mining children for data in the name of profit, gutting the livelihood of public schools with vouchers, and brazenly wasting millions of taxpayer dollars on charter schools. This is David trying to fight a Goliath who owns not only the ever-shrinking battlefield, but also the slingshot store. Until we can play by rules not instituted to destroy what we do, educators will keep spending more disheartening time concerning themselves with compliance over learning.”
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Gayle Cosby, Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis Public Schools
Teacher/IPS Board Member
Why is public education advocacy important to you?
“Education is the only thing I know that can somewhat level the playing field in terms of opportunities for kids regardless of race or socioeconomic status. Public education is dear to my heart because I attended Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) from Kindergarten through 12th grade.”
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Shirley Deckard, Indianapolis, IN
Retired English/psychology teacher
MSD Wayne Township School Board/Parents & Educators Facebook site administrator
Why do you advocate for public education?
“I advocate for Public Education because it IS the foundation of our country, our Democracy. It has served both well for over 200 years by ensuring that all of our people can be educated and, therefore, informed. On the flip side of my advocacy is that the things that most aggravate me are unfairness, greed, arrogance, and stupidity….all major elements of the Education Reform movement. When anyone of these characteristics are in motion, I have to fight back…it is my nature. All of them together in one movement…that’s what keeps me going, keeps me fighting. I’m tenacious by nature, so I’m in to stay. I’m in until Public Education is made whole.”
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Bertis Downs, Athens GA
Parent/Advocate/Attorney
Network for Public Education Board member
Why is public education advocacy important to you?
“Public education advocacy is important to me because I want our schools to be the best they can be for all of our kids—mine and everybody else’s. All children need quality schools which are the center of community, have active parental and community support, a dedicated, not-overly stressed-out corps of mostly experienced teachers, with reasonable class sizes, adequate facilities, and a rich and varied curriculum, as well as strong and effective leadership so that all of the parts work together for the good of every student, regardless of their needs or background. Politicians tend to go for the “sounds good” easy answers, which are generally snake oil and do more to harm rather than strengthen our beleaguered public schools and the teachers and students striving within them.”
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Jorge Fernandez, Fort Wayne, IN
Teacher, FWCS
Citizen advocate
Why is public education advocacy important to you?
“Every day though I become more and more steadfast in my belief that I cannot turn my back on the students in my school… and I can’t stay silent and do nothing while the students suffer. If I don’t speak up for these students, then who will?”
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Cathy Fuentes-Rohwer, Bloomington, IN
Mother of four
Chairperson of ICPE-Monroe County
What do I want parents to know about advocating for public schools?
“As parents, we have a powerful voice. Educators are often maligned when they speak up (although I hope that won’t stop them!) as “defending the status quo.” Parents have power because we can’t be fired. The wealthy corporate education reformers, charter school operators, political action committees, think tanks, (and the politicians they buy) all consistently speak “for the kids” while attacking our public schools and teachers. I want parents to remember that we need to speak up while supporting our teachers. After all, our teachers’ working conditions are our kids’ learning conditions. We need to remember that it’s not just about our own children, but about all children. We have a responsibility to support great public schools for all children. Where there are problems, we need to work together to fix them.”
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Dan Greenberg, Sylvania, OH
English teacher
Founder, Ohio Friends of Public Education
What are some of your frustrations or obstacles that you have met or overcome?
”The thing that has helped me continue to advocate, despite the frustrations, is the knowledge that it will take years of sustained effort to win the fight for public education, and that my sustained efforts make a difference.”
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Lynn Greenberg, Springboro, OH
Mother of five, Advocate for ALL children
Leader of SURE: Springboro United for Responsible Education
As an advocate, what accomplishment have you found most satisfying?
“I am proud of what I was able to accomplish in my community. I couldn’t have done it without making so many friends and co-advocates. We came together and accomplished something great. We took back our community and our schools. After a 4+ year process, I am happy to say, we now have in place, a pro-public schools school board.
I find it so satisfying, when I know I can share my experience and help other parent groups looking to make a change or just make an impact in their community.”
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Randy Harrison, Anderson, IN
Teacher/COPE Chair
President of Anderson AFT
Why is public education important to you?
“Public Education is the cornerstone of our democratic way of life, and it should not be sold to the highest corporate bidder.”
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Ryann Hill, Decatur, IN
3rd Grade teacher, Fairfield Elementary, FWCS
All around activist, advocate, letter writer
What do you want parents to know about public education issues?
“Parents need to know that these issues with the state and with funding are real. I want parents to reach out to teachers and anyone involved with public education and find out how this is affecting their children. Schools and teachers sometimes do a “too good of a job” masking the real struggle; therefore, parents don’t understand the whole picture. I also want parents to know that who they vote for has a deep impact on their child’s educational future.”
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Julie Hyndman, Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne Community Schools teacher, President of Fort Wayne Educators Association, ISTA Board of Directors
Why is public education advocacy important to you?
“I started out as a public school advocate as a parent many years ago. I served as president of the PTA where my children attended and then started working as an assistant in their school. It became abundantly clear how the public school was a welcome haven to many of these kids. They seemed to thrive with the opportunities offered to them. After two years, I returned to college to earn a degree in teaching. Through the PTA, and eventually onto FWEA/ISTA/NEA I have continuously worked for public school students and those that work to help them achieve.”
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Jack Morris, Fort Wayne, IN
Attorney: Benson, Pantello, Morris, James & Logan
Former Democratic Candidate for State Senate
Why do you advocate for public education?
“I believe that all citizens should get involved and fight for those things which they think are best for our community, state, and country. I think public education is the starting point in developing the best country, state and community. I also believe it is the duty of those who can to fight for those who may not be as able to fight for themselves. Children do not have the ability to advocate for themselves and many do not have parents or guardians who are able to be effective advocates. I was gifted with abilities which allow me to be an advocate so I feel it is my public duty to be engaged.”
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Mark Nash, Fort Wayne, IN
East Allen Educators Association, President
Everyday teacher at East Allen Community Schools
Why is public education advocacy important to you?
“…because we are headed down a road that is in the opposite direction of what needs to be done for our schools. The current system identifies winners and losers. Many will say closing failing schools is the answer; the fact is that students lose. There are no winners, except for a select few. The current system will have more and more students falling behind, making it much more difficult to be a productive and educated member of our society.”
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Amy Valens, Forest Knolls, CA
Filmmaker; August to June; Good Morning Mission Hill
As an advocate, what accomplishment have you found most satisfying?
“In this time of standardization and negative portrayals of public education, it is extremely satisfying to think we have brought hope to thousands of people who have seen our films on television, or attended a community screening where they were able to meet like-minded people and feel less alone...perhaps even empowered to speak up, opt out, or stay engaged in some other way.”
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Rousemary Vega, Chicago, IL
Mother of 4 Chicago Public School students
Involved caring parent, Founder of BAMs
What do you want parents to know about public education issues?
“I want parents to know that public education is under severe attack. As parents, it is our fight and our responsibility to stand up for our schools, our children, our teachers, and our neighborhoods. I fear that public education will be destroyed if we don’t stand up and fight for it. Parents can get involved by showing up and by speaking at Board meetings, by being involved in rallies, and by speaking to politicians. The list of things is as long or short as parents have the time or the interest to be involved.”
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Melanie Wright, Yorktown, IN
Teacher, Daleview Community Schools
Indiana State Representative, District 35
Why is public education important to you?
“Public education has always been a vital part of my life through my 28-year teaching career. As a young student, I observed the powerful effects of public school teachers who repeatedly reinforced confidence, knowledge, and a belief that we may have a positive influence on others through modeling examples. This foundation has been fundamental to my quality of life and one that I continue to share with students. Planting seeds is such a rewarding purpose; protecting the ability to do so has become a necessity.”
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