Monthly QuotED: 8 Notable Quotes That Made Education Headlines in August, From a Biden Gaffe to Teacher Pay — and Moms Who Are Cool About the Start of School
QuotED is a compilation of the most noteworthy statements accompanying the top education news in America. These quotes are sourced from our daily EduClips, which provide a snapshot of the morning headlines from the largest school districts in the country. You can access previous EduClips articles here.
"I dedicate 55 hours per week to my job, and despite having 12 years of experience, my salary still amounts to $43,000. The stress and concern about my classroom preparation and the well-being of my students weigh on me daily. Sometimes I question my decision to pursue this profession." – A teacher participating in an online focus group, as quoted in this year’s PDK survey that examines the experiences of American teachers. More than half of the respondents admitted to seriously contemplating leaving their profession in recent years. (Read the full article at The74Million.org)
Recognizing that mothers are often eager to support each other, Stasi Webber expressed, "I realized that I needed to connect with the online community to find solutions for my 11-year-old son who has autism. The internet provides a wealth of information and resources that can be of great help." (Read the full article at The74Million.org)
State Senator Paul Bettencourt, a Republican from Houston, expressed his frustration with the school board’s decision-making when he commented, "This was a problem that could have been avoided if the board had acted responsibly at numerous points in the past." He was referring to the recommendation of a state investigator to take over Houston’s school board. (Read the full article at the Houston Chronicle)
During his presidential candidacy, Joe Biden made a statement that garnered attention. He said, "It is important to acknowledge that underprivileged children possess the same brilliance and talent as their white counterparts." (Read the full article at Politics K-12)
Expressing his regret, Alexander Walsh, a member of a jury, stated, "I am certain that I made the wrong decision. Declining to hold the school board legally responsible for their lack of knowledge regarding a girl’s sexual harassment during a band trip in 2017 has deeply saddened us. The school system mishandled every aspect of this situation, leaving no room to assign blame." (Read the full article at The Washington Post)
Jim Jump, a dean and director of college counseling at St. Christopher’s, an independent preparatory school in Richmond, Virginia, shared his perspective on the issue of wealth and college admissions. He said, "It is widely understood that the privileged class enjoys certain advantages in the world. The question we must ask is whether we want to perpetuate this system within college admissions or challenge it. Shouldn’t we aim to be the exception?" (Read the full article at the Christian Science Monitor)
Observing the stark contrast in treatment, Melivia Mujica, a student activist from San Antonio, remarked, "We cannot ignore the fact that affluent children receive therapy when needed, while less fortunate children often end up in the criminal justice system." (Read the full article at The74Million.org)
Four mothers in Minneola, Florida, left a sign to commemorate the first day of school. It read, "Some of you may be feeling down, but we want you to know that we will be absolutely fine." They celebrated the occasion with wine and donuts. (Read the full article at Fox News Orlando)
Don’t miss out on stories like these. Sign up for newsletter and have them delivered straight to your inbox.
