Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

As an educator, I know the opportunities a quality education can bring. All children in Minnesota deserve access to a quality education, regardless of race, religion or zip code, and all the opportunities that brings. For too long, Minnesota schools have not had the resources they need. We need to invest in smaller class sizes, pay our teachers better wages for the quality work they do with our most precious assets, our children and grandchildren. This is an investment into our future.

Education at all levels needs to include how to evaluate sources for accuracy, how to utilize the scientific method to solve any problem, and how to manage finances through budgeting. Understanding different perspectives and having a full understanding of our local, state, national and world history is vitally important. Schools need more counselors, social workers, and psychologists to help students deal with the incredible stresses of our modern society and we should take a hard look at the "wrap-around" full service school concept.

Now is the time for bold innovation. We need to apply the best science to adapt our education system to meet the changing needs of our students today.. Do we need more outdoor classroom space? Do we need more experiential learning out of the classroom? How do we ensure digital equity in times of distance learning? I'm committed to listening to our community, parents, teachers, educational experts, and use the knowledge gained by the devastating impact of COVID-19 to draft and support legislation to meet the changing needs of our children, grandchildren, and families and prepare them for the world of tomorrow.

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