NJEA’s officers, President Marie Blistan, Vice President Sean M. Spiller and Secretary-Treasurer Steve Beatty today congratulated President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on their decisive election victory:
“Today we are celebrating a victory for students, educators, working families and public schools. After a long campaign, America has spoken clearly and has overwhelmingly chosen these two friends of public education to lead our nation. Their vision for public education, as well as for the students and families who rely on public schools as their gateway to the American Dream, is a large part of what drove them to their historic victory.
“In addition to their vision, talent and commitment, they have life stories that will inspire our students. President-elect Biden rose from humble beginnings and overcame unspeakable personal tragedy to become a United States Senator, a vice president and now the 46th President of the United States. Vice President-elect Harris is the first woman and the first woman of color elected to one of America’s highest offices. The child of immigrants, she epitomizes the American Dream and will inspire women and girls, as well as the children of immigrants, to reach for their highest aspirations.
“We are also excited that a fellow NEA member, Dr. Jill Biden, will serve as First Lady of the United States. Her presence in the White House and her partnership with President Biden will herald a new era of respect for America’s educators.
“As they their preparation to take office and carry out the pro-student, pro-worker and pro-family agenda they ran on, we look forward to working with them to rebuild and strengthen America’s public schools.”
NEA President Becky Pringle also released a statement:
“Across the nation, students, educators, and families are celebrating this victory for public schools and communities. On behalf of our 3 million members, NEA congratulates President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on their resounding win and looks forward to partnering with the Biden-Harris administration as they take office.
“No matter where we’re from or what we look like, we all want students to have great public schools. Educators know President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris are tireless advocates for public education and they are the partners students and educators need in the White House. And, we are excited about having a friend and colleague in the White House with Dr. Jill Biden, an educator and longtime NEA member, as First Lady.
“We know the challenges our nation faces can’t be solved overnight. From the COVID-19 pandemic to the economic crisis, the deep divisions in communities across the country, the systemic racism adversely impacting the access and opportunities for our Black, Brown, Asian and Indigenous students. We look forward to working with the Biden-Harris administration as they focus on unifying the country and tackling the pandemic and the other crises facing our country. Together, we will strengthen our public schools by investing in neighborhood community schools, dismantling the institutional racism denying access and opportunity for too many students, and building our economy back better so it works for all Americans.
“We look forward to collaborating with President-elect Biden and elected leaders across the nation at every level of government, as educators build the movement to reclaim public education as a common good and transform our system of public education into one that is racially and socially just and equitable, ensuring students and educators have the resources they need for success.
“Educators are also celebrating Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ smashing the glass ceiling as she becomes the first woman, first Black woman and first person of Indian descent to be elected to national office – an achievement not only for the history books, but one that will continue to inspire countless Americans, no matter where they are from or what they look like by showing them they, too, have a place in the halls of power and highest offices in our country.
“As educators, we know that our public schools are more than places of learning – they are the foundation of our democracy. That is why educators appreciate this moment in our democracy, as Americans turned out in record numbers to make their voices heard.
“Now, in the coming days and weeks, educators look forward to the opportunity to partner with the Biden-Harris administration in the work that promotes our collective values.”