Four special messages for Oklahoma’s Teachers

 

1. Having worked in public education since the 1990s and as a supervisor of student teachers who has visited most secondary schools from as far north as John Marshall High School, to as far south as Duncan, to as far west as Apache, to as far east as Noble, I understand the importance of teachers having as much autonomy as possible in the classroom. When I announced my candidacy for the state senate at the Canadian County Republican meeting last summer, I asked those in attendance the question, “Shouldn’t those of us who belong to a party that prides itself on encouraging entrepreneurship in the business world trust our teachers to exercise their judgment in the classroom? If micromanaging every little detail is bad in the world of business, then why do we think it would work in the classroom?” To this end I will work to keep useless and time consuming testing, as well as onerous federal and state mandates out of the classroom. I will fight to return power to parents, local school boards and teachers.

 

2. Over the years, the teachers of Oklahoma have made many sacrifices, and these sacrifices often go unnoticed by those outside of the profession. In times like these, when the state faces a budget shortfall because many of those who exercise power over our budget have not been willing to make needed sacrifices, some may advocate “borrowing against” the pensions of our teachers. I find such a possible betrayal of our teachers unconscionable. Even if those who wish to transfer funds from the Oklahoma Teacher Retirement System promise to restore these monies at a later date, I will still consistently and aggressively oppose any attempt to make such transfers for any reason other than their intended purpose.

 

3. I have worked as a classroom teacher in various capacities since the 1990s. During that time, I have taught many thousands of students. Experience has demonstrated to me the importance of limiting the number of students in a classroom to a manageable level. Therefore, I will support measures that will encourage keeping the number of students in a classroom to a manageable level.

 

4. As most people in this state are aware, Oklahoma is having trouble attracting and retaining quality teachers. I therefore support finding ways of increasing teacher pay in this state. However, I will not be misled by attempts to mask other expenditures under the guise of raising teacher pay. Raising teacher pay must be a priority and teacher salaries must not be held hostage by those who wish to attach appropriations for other pet projects to legislation providing for increases in teacher pay.