Danny McAuliffe
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum secured support from a South Florida teachers’ union on Sunday.
The endorsement from the United Teachers of Dade, which boasts more than 30,000 teachers and related professionals, is the latest public education interest group to throw its weight behind Gillum, who made an early campaign promise to increase public education spending by $1 billion.
Karla Hernandez–Mats, president of the teachers’ union, emphasized the need for “change” in a statement announcing the endorsement.
“We need a Governor that fights for everyone, especially our most vulnerable,” said Hernandez-Mats. “Our kids deserve the best, let’s give them Andrew Gillum.”
“Without the care and support I received from my teachers growing up, I would not be the person I am,” Gillum said in responding to the endorsement. “An investment in education is not only an investment in our children, but it is an investment in our future.”
Gillum in April unveiled his “Fair Share for Florida” education plan. The extra $1 billion promised will come from increased corporate income taxes. Also included in the policy proposal is a $50,000 minimum starting salary for public school teachers.
Following Gillum’s primary upset victory, the Tallahassee mayor received support from the Florida Education Association, the state’s largest teachers’ union. FEA had previously backed Democrat Gwen Graham, but quickly shifted to Gillum after Aug. 28.
The political arm of FEA last week put $100,000 into Gillum’s campaign.
Ron DeSantis, Gillum’s Republican opponent, debuted his education plan last week. He is emphasizing the need for vocational and trade training. Support for school choice also is included in DeSantis’ plan. Rather than an across-the-board increase in teachers’ salaries, DeSantis indicated support for merit-based pay increases.
12 comments
Amanda Van Ess
September 23, 2018 at 9:50 pm
I am working on a YouTube video supporting Andrew. If someone from his campaign wants to help I’ll take it. I’ve been teaching 28 years and have had an amazing cAreer. I’m going to send a resume showing that I’ve been a teacher of the year more than once, was chosen to go to DC and to Paris to teach. He needs veteran teachers that still want to stay down in the trenches with out children that can motivate people to understand where we are at! Sadly, there are too many young teachers leaving teachers due to stress, no respect, being overworked ( so many things we do are simple hoop-jumping That we don’t have the time for)
Amanda Van Ess
September 23, 2018 at 10:02 pm
I didn’t mean to press reply. I have the video of Rick Scott and how he supported teachers. I found an old paycheck from 12 years ago when I only had a bachelors degree and printed my most recent paycheck 12 years later with a masters degree and i was paid $500 more a paycheck. It’s time consuming but I’m almost done finalizing everything I need for my YouTube. Please contact me if you want to see what my plan is. I have video clips and charts showing Florida being one of the top 10 states in education but when it comes time for pay Florida is down at the bottom of the list. It makes no sense.
As far as safety in schools- I now have to keep my phone on vibrate and door permanently locked in case there’s an active shooter on campus. The teacher parking lot is completed gates in. We have no way out during the day.
The demands are too much and we’re losing young , amazing teachers that I’ve attempted to convince the to stay. It’s hard when my daughter who hAs a part time job working at Sonneys BBQ makes more money than I do after 28 years of teaching. Sad!
Nordonia Nate
September 24, 2018 at 8:53 am
Amanda,will you also include the contribution from the local school boards and efforts made to include parental involvement?
I mean, you have to agree that teachers truly go through quite a bit to get kids educated while local school boards offer some assistance … And, seriously, HOW do you reach those kids when the parents can’t make parent teacher conferences, don’t access school web pages to track progress, things like that??
I struggle with your paycheck analogy .. Are you staying that after years of teaching, and an advanced degree, you only make $500 more per year?
One of my children had her student loan debt forgiven for teaching over 5 consecutive years in an income challenged system. They also received a bonus where the after tax amount exceeded your number that you posted. How can you explain that?
I am certain I can get together with my children and come up with a ton of material for your YouTube. Will you exclude it, or include it?
Ray Tampa
September 23, 2018 at 11:01 pm
Karla Hernández-Mats, president of the teachers’ union said a mouth full of truth when she stated, “our kids deserve the best, lets give them Andrew Gillum.” With that statement I say – JUST DO IT!
Nordonia Nate
September 24, 2018 at 8:42 am
Ray.. What is Gollum going to do to get parents more involved? Can you articulate that part of his agenda?
JOHN B THAYER
September 23, 2018 at 11:09 pm
T.H.O.T.s for Gillum.
Solomon
September 24, 2018 at 4:14 am
Ron Desantis don’t even have a plan for the betterment of Florida school system or others social amenities in the of Florida.
Nordonia Nate
September 24, 2018 at 8:56 am
Solomon… Sure he does. You won’t read it. If you did, you would call it a lie.
James tolson
September 24, 2018 at 8:41 am
You all will make a great mistake voting democratic primary
Nordonia Nate
September 25, 2018 at 12:47 pm
Lisa, Gillum is attracting these teachers by promising more money in their paycheck. Heavens knows that teachers are some of the lowest paid workers in labor..
Great. The teachers union should explain what that means? I mean, if the teachers get this big bump in pay as promised, and education remains the same… We now have higher paid teachers delivering the same product that everyone complains about.
Education is based upon a solid curriculum, a competent teacher, the a supportive school board and an involved parent. Handing over big paychecks while ignoring fundamental problems is foolhardy.
Address the issues with parental involvement. Address the problems with student apathy. Address the curriculum..
Sorry, teachers are one of the best assets we have and they are put in the middle of this whole mess. ALLOW teachers to do their jobs, Mr. Gillum and hand them the tools to get it done … Bribery is a cheap, political trick that ends up costing EVERYONE … Mr. Gillum… THIS is another example of how little you know when it comes to solving problems..
Cari Shire
September 27, 2018 at 2:57 pm
So…are you saying that DeSantis is a better option? I think not.
Nordonia Nate
September 27, 2018 at 3:03 pm
Actually, YES that is what I am saying.. I believe so.
Comments are closed.