NEA President Appointed to White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans

The White House today announced that President Joe Biden has appointed National Education Association President Becky Pringle to the Presidential Advisory Commission on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans. 

NEA President Becky Pringle released the following statement: 

“As an educator, I have dedicated my life to ensuring that every student, no matter their race, ZIP code, or background, has access to strong public schools that help them grow into their full brilliance. But for too long unequal systems and unjust policies have prevented too many Black students from accessing the high-quality educational opportunities that they deserve. 

“Across the nation, educators and parents are working together to reclaim public education as a common good, and then transform it into something it was never designed to be—a racially and socially just and equitable system that prepares every student to succeed in this diverse and interdependent world.  

“That means supporting the social, emotional, and academic needs of all our students and creating safe and welcoming school environments where every student can thrive. It means expanding access to higher education, increasing support for HBCUs, and canceling student debt that disproportionately impacts Black students. And it means supporting culturally responsiveeducation, which allows students to see themselves reflected in the classroom, to have strong relationships with their educators, and to understand the world in which they live. 

“In order to accomplish this, leaders at every level of government must focus on implementing the proven strategies to address educator shortages. And we must continue working to diversify the teaching profession by expanding Grow Your Own and Registered Apprenticeship Programs that recruit high school students to enter the teaching profession and mentoring programs that help keep new educators in the classroom. 

“I am honored to be appointed by President Joe Biden to the Presidential Advisory Commission on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans.” 

Background:  

About Presidential Advisory Commission on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans:

The Presidential Advisory Commission on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans aids in developing, implementing, and coordinating educational programs and initiatives for agencies such as the Department of Education. Specifically, the Commission provides advice to the President through the Secretary of Education on matters pertaining to educational equity and economic opportunity for the Black community. The Commission primarily focuses on: 1) promoting career pathways for Black students through programs such as internships, apprenticeships and work-based learning initiatives, 2) increasing public awareness of the educational disparities Black Americans face and providing solutions to these problems, and 3) establishing local and national relationships with public, private, philanthropic, and nonprofit stakeholders to advance the mission of equity, excellence, and economic opportunity for Black Americans.

About Becky Pringle: 

National Education Association (NEA) President Becky Pringle is a fierce social justice warrior, defender of educator rights, unrelenting advocate for all students and communities of color, and valued and respected voice in the education arena.
 
A middle school science teacher with more than three decades of classroom experience, Pringle is singularly focused on uniting the members of the largest labor union with the Nation, and using that collective power to transform public education into a racially and socially just and equitable system that is designed to prepare every student to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world.
 
Pringle's passion for students and educators, combined with her first-hand classroom experience, equip her to lead the movement to reclaim public education as a common good. Before assuming NEA’s top post in 2020, Pringle served as NEA Vice President and before that as NEA Secretary-Treasurer. She directed NEA’s work to combat institutional racism and spotlight systemic patterns of racism and educational injustice that impact students. Under Pringle's guidance, NEA works to widen access and opportunity by demanding changes to policies, programs, and practices. The Association’s goal is to ensure the systemic, fair treatment of people of all races so that equitable opportunities and outcomes are within reach for every student. This is why Pringle is a staunch advocate for students who have disabilities, identify as LGBTQ+, are immigrants, or English Language Learners.
 
Pringle is a passionate Philadelphia Eagles fan, loves anything purple, and is the “Best Nana B” ever for two special someone’s.

Follow us on Twitter at @BeckyPringle and @NEAToday

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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.