As I was sitting in my first ever meeting of my very first ever education class on February 7, I saw the news that Betsy DeVos was confirmed to be Secretary of Education. Naturally, this brought inundated fear and worries to the mind of a future educator.
The politics of this past year suddenly became jarringly real, not because I hadn't believed that what has been happening is not real, but that it all seemed so distant from my typically progressive Minnesota hometown. But now, I will be directly affected by Betsy DeVos. She is the quite possibly the most unqualified choice Trump could have made (and I was hoping he would surround himself with smart people to at least make the next four years bearable). She has no experience working in any education-related field. She wants to privatize education in such a way that it will no longer be accessible to some students. For God's sake she didn't even realize how IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) actually functions. She is in all ways absolutely incompetent for the position she now holds.
Now, I have been scrolling through Twitter and Facebook and seeing posts from friends who are seriously contemplating switching their major from education to something different because of DeVos' confirmation. Everyone has their choice, if they are not comfortable pursuing this career because of who is in charge that is their decision. But personally, as someone who vehemently opposes DeVos as the Secretary of Education, now could not be a better time to become involved in education in every aspect. That may sound falsely optimistic, but if teachers who are passionate about opposing DeVos and making true changes that will benefit student lives are exiting the inner-circle of education per say that gives those who will support and enforce DeVos a chance to become the majority. By becoming a teacher I am making a political statement, in a way, I am showing that I will not back down when it comes to the well-being of others. And I will most certainly not let someone as unqualified as DeVos affect the lives of my future students.
I am not in this for me, I don't think teachers are ever really in the profession for themselves. They are certainly not in it for the money or the glamor. I am a future educator for my future students and the lives that I can possibly impact with just one lesson-plan. For the students who don't feel supported in this day and age. For everyone who maybe just needs a little push in the right direction. By backing down and out of the education career path I am giving Betsy DeVos power. And this is something she does not deserve.
