Iowa's Educators
Madam Speaker,
In honor of National Teacher Appreciation Week, I am recognizing the incredible educators of Iowa’s Third Congressional District as our Iowans of the Week. Their daily contributions to our children’s lives have perhaps never been more evident than during the past couple of months while our nation battles the COVID-19 pandemic. As distance learning has become the new norm, parents-turned-home-educators have developed a whole new appreciation for the academic, social, and emotional support teachers provide our children.
It has been remarkable to see educators and school staff rise to the challenge of serving their students in the face of this unprecedented crisis. With little time to plan and while coping with the pandemic themselves, they transitioned lesson plans to fit the constraints of distance learning and have worked hard to find creative ways to keep students engaged. Within the Des Moines Public School district alone, teachers have now moved more than 6,300 Pre-K through 8th grade classes to an online learning platform and distributed nearly 21,000 laptop computers to students across grade levels. In districts across central and southwest Iowa, teachers have also packed countless bags of books, school supplies, games, and other supports for students and families. And at Thomas Jefferson High School in Council Bluffs, teachers are now hosting activities like Anime Club meetups via Google Hangouts.
Their efforts extend far beyond traditional lesson plans. Teachers were among the first to recognize and fill the void of food insecurity for many students in their school districts; for weeks now, they have stepped up to pack and serve tens of thousands of meals weekly for students who might otherwise go without. They know many students still need a wellness check, so educators have donned masks and knocked on doors to make sure students are safe and secure. And at the end of the day, teachers still find the energy to organize parades through their school districts just to put a smile on their students’ faces.
Their contributions to our community don’t end with their students. We even have teachers who are working around the clock to produce face shields for health care workers on their school’s 3D printers.
Teachers deserve special recognition this week and every week for their willingness to go above and beyond for the benefit of our students and families. In many ways, educators are the heart of Iowa’s communities. They are thoughtful caretakers and mentors of our generations to come, and it is a role they approach with purpose and compassion. While educators face various professional challenges, many see teaching as their life’s calling. I am grateful for every person who has chosen to spend their careers sparking curiosity and creativity in our children. So please allow me to express my deep appreciation and thanks to every teacher in Iowa’s Third Congressional District, and to honor them as Iowans of the Week.