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Nov. 19, 2024 |  By: Mike Moen - Public News Service

During American Education Week, public asked to reset K-12 views

a classroom

By Mike Moen - Public News Service

American Education Week is underway, and Nebraskans are asked to find trust again in public school systems, including rural areas.

There have been some improvements but national polling shows a majority of Americans are still dissatisfied with K-12 education. A Gallup survey last year showed a peak level of 63%. It is down to 55 percent this year, but advocates said it is clear they need more public support.

Jack Moles, executive director of the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association, feels teachers remain dedicated even though the classroom environment is different from when he was teaching.

"It was a tough job then, it's much tougher today," Moles observed. "People are still going into it."

Moles emphasized dedication is apparent as students increasingly demonstrate social and emotional needs following the pandemic. He acknowledged teacher staffing shortages are still an issue but noted communities are getting creative with solutions centering around housing and other recruitment tools. Moles encouraged more of these efforts as a way to show support.

Moles stressed it is not just about higher salaries and other amenities. He thinks the "politicization of education" has fueled negative feelings about teachers and he called on elected leaders at the state and federal levels to help change the narrative.

"We see more and more things where educators are demonized," Moles observed. "I hate seeing that. We didn't use to have that. "

As for community members showing appreciation, Moles added a powerful approach is a parent sharing success stories about their child with a former teacher. He suggested it can be a very effective way of illustrating how impactful an educator was in connecting with a student.