Educators across the country are breathing a sigh of relief after the election of Joe Biden—a pro-public education, pro-union president! We are hopeful that by the time this magazine lands in your mailbox, the transition of power will be taking place peacefully and—as nearly 80 million voters decided—Joe Biden will be the 46th president of the United States.
In “Educators Were a Winning Force in Election 2020” we celebrate the beginning of a sea change for educators with a U.S. president and secretary of education who support public education!
Now let’s keep that momentum going. Most state legislatures begin their new terms this month, so this is the time to put public education front and center on their agendas. Find out how you can help in, “How to Make Your Voice Heard at the Statehouse.”
Meanwhile, our schools continue to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, which has now been raging for 10 months. In “Creativity in Crisis,” we address the particular challenges the pandemic poses for students with special needs and the lessons parents and educators have learned along the way.
We all know that the pandemic also forced educators to become overnight experts in distance learning. In “Ed Tech 911,” find out how NEA members stepped up to provide desperately needed training and how you can learn more.
And as the economy continues to sag under the weight of COVID-19, many educators face even greater financial pressure as their student debt looms large. In “Slaying the Student Debt Monster,” discover how NEA can help you navigate the federal Student Loan Forgiveness Program.
On a lighter note, if you are still working virtually, your remote classroom/home office/kitchen nook may be overdue for an upgrade. Get inspiration from fellow members in “How to Create the Perfect Home Teaching Space."
Finally, just in time for your 2021 Read Across America plans, “Why We Need Diverse Books” explores the powerful impact of diverse books on students of color.
This is a new day. Let us hope that our nation can begin to heal and embrace the diversity that enriches our schools, our nation, and our everyday lives.
