Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1291735
'' I'm voting in the 2020 election for our students' future, for the livelihoods of our families and for the safeguard and preservation of our communities." VIRGINIA TORRES Teachers Association of Long Beach (retired) Our nation needs compassionate leadership to break through the political divisiveness and remind Americans how great we can be when we work together. Right now, our country needs Joe Biden as President of the United States. After four years of an anti-public school agenda, educators are ready to elect leaders to the White House who see us, understand the promise of public education and will fight alongside us for the schools all students deserve. "You are the most important profession in the United States," Biden told educators at the NEA Representative Assem- bly. "You are the ones that give these kids wings. You give them confidence. You equip them." And with Biden's historic selection of Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate, voters will have the chance to support two steady, informed and compassionate leaders when we need them most – our schools and our communities deserve nothing less. One of California's own could be headed to the White House Steady, Informed & Compassionate BIDEN AND HARRIS ARE THE LEADERS OUR NATION NEEDS As a first-term senator, Harris earned a final grade of A from the NEA for her focus on attract- ing and maintaining educators in neighborhood schools, and for understanding how it translated to the success of students in every ZIP code in the midst of a nationwide teacher shortage. Additionally, Harris is a tireless advocate for all students, including students of color, students with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students, low-income students, and others who face barriers to educa- tion. At the NEA Representative Assembly in 2019, Harris called the federal government's failure to fully fund special education "immoral," and in June 2020, Harris urged Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to rescind a Title IX rule that "will weaken protections for student survivors of sexual harassment and assault." As a DACA recipient, my status does not allow me to vote. My voice and the voices of many immigrants without citizenship will be silenced at the polls, yet again. I encourage those who have the privilege to register to vote to do so, and keep the kids and families in cages at the border in mind while voting." VIRIDIANA CASTRO SILVA Student CTA President ''