Teachers deserve accolades, not criticism

Congresswoman Ashley Hinson was elected to represent all Iowans in the 1st District. Unfortunately, she chose to alienate a large swath of Iowans when she and fellow Republicans appeared at the U.S. Capitol wearing masks that read, ' Open Schools Now - Follow the science, not the unions.”

As a longtime member of the Iowa State Education Association, this messaging was offensive. ISEA is a professional organization that puts students at the center of its mission. By providing professional resources and support to teachers, ISEA enhances the classroom experience for both students and staff. To think that my congresswoman shows no understanding of professional organizations such as this is very disappointing to the thousands of educators across Iowa.

Our teachers and school staff have been asked to do extraordinary work this year. They have had to reinvent how education is delivered to our children. They have encountered technology challenges, hardship, stress, sleepless nights and the risk of very serious illness and even death.

Meanwhile, our congresswoman is interested in making a name for herself by legislating that schools only deserve financial assistance with COVID mitigation if they have been in 100 percent face-to-face instruction. Our public schools have many needs due to the pandemic. Attaching strings and maligning the teacher's professional organization is not an effective way to address those needs.

This has been a difficult year for everyone, but our teachers deserve accolades, not criticism from their elected representative. Congresswoman Hinson needs to do better.

Elwood Garlock

Cedar Rapids