Educators stand with Hillary in declaring that we must be "Better than Bullying"

DES MOINES, IA (10/27/2016)(readMedia)-- NEA President Lily Eskelsen García and ISEA President Tammy Wawro provided the following response today to Hillary Clinton's release of Better than Bullying, a plan to provide $500 million in new funding to states to help children, families and educators confront the challenge of bullying and heal divisions in communities around the nation:

"Like our educators, Hillary Clinton understands that kindness, collaboration and cooperation are important in school and in life," said Eskelsen García. "The rise in vitriolic speech in classrooms and the anxiety created by Donald Trump illustrate that students need this support now more than ever. Educators are proud to have a partner in policies that help our children and look forward to working with Secretary Clinton to implement these proposals as president."

"Educators continue to report an increase in anger and bullying in classrooms, hallways and playgrounds across the state as Donald Trump persists in his political attacks on communities, individuals and whole groups. We know how important it is to lead by example and Trump has been a shameful example of good citizenry and behavior," added Tammy Wawro, President of the Iowa State Education Association.

The Better than Bullying plan features educator and NEA-New Hampshire member Anne McQuade. McQuade teaches English language learners in Manchester, a federally mandated refugee relocation center. Her students frequently describe their fear of a Trump presidency, and she reassures them by saying that they are safe here in America and that the United States will protect them and their families.

"A student from Mexico stood in front of my desk with watery eyes and asked, 'Miss, is it true if Donald Trump is elected President of the United States, my family will be kicked out of America?' and 'Do you think they will take my Dad away? He brings food home and I don't know what we will do without him,'" McQuade said. "Students should not be thinking about being deported or discriminated against. They should be thinking about their math homework and essays."

A recent report by the nonpartisan Southern Poverty Law Center indicated Trump's divisive, hate-filled campaign has directly impacted America's classrooms.

"Many students like mine live in fear because they or their family members are undocumented. Trump's rhetoric has really cast a shadow over the school day. It's hard for students to learn and thrive with this kind of thing hanging in the atmosphere. I applaud the Clinton initiative for taking bullying seriously and trying to bring resources into the classroom to reverse the negative effects of the campaign," Sue Cahill, teacher and librarian, Woodbury Elementary, Marshalltown, IA

Clinton's Better Than Bullying initiative would provide $500 million in new funding to states that develop comprehensive anti-bullying plans, empowering communities to improve school climates and support our kids. States will have flexibility in tailoring anti-bullying plans to their local communities, in keeping with national priorities outlined by the campaign.

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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing nearly 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers. Learn more at www.nea.org.

The ISEA is a professional association made up of more than 34,000 educators dedicated to supporting and protecting a quality public education for all Iowa students.