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DeSantis looks to have vets, retired cops, other first responders help resolve teacher shortage

August 17, 2022 | | Print Article

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has invited retired military veterans and first responders to sign up to be teachers as part of a proposal to resolve the state’s teacher shortage.

Currently, one must boast a bachelor’s degree to teach in Florida. But thanks to changes proposed by the governor on Tuesday, this would no longer be the case for eligible military veterans and first responders.

“If you served in the military for at least four years, were honorably discharged, have taken 60 college credits, and pass a subject-area exam, we want you to be able to teach Florida students,” the governor announced in a Twitter video posted Tuesday.

“Our veterans have a wealth of knowledge and experience they can bring to bear in the classroom. And with this innovative approach, they’ll be able to do so for five years with a temporary certification as they work toward their degree.”

And so it’s not like military veterans with no education-related qualifications would suddenly be entering the classroom. They’d have to prove themselves with at least some education (roughly an associate’s degree worth) and subject-matter expertise.

The irony is that the left’s response to this proposal tells you everything you need to know about their own clear-cut lack of meaningful education.

Observe:

Notice how all of his critics have automatically assumed that DeSantis would, if the proposal makes it through the Florida Legislature, accept any and all veterans who want to teach, even if they possess no relevant qualifications. Apparently, reading/listening comprehension isn’t a strong suit for the left.

The even greater irony is that many so-called “educated” teachers are “woke” know-nothings. Time magazine documented a perfect example of this phenomenon last week. In a report, they drew attention to Oakland, California, where students used to perform well in reading thanks to a focus on phonics-based reading.

“As a teacher in Oakland, Calif., Kareem Weaver helped struggling fourth- and fifth-grade kids learn to read by using a very structured, phonics-based reading curriculum called Open Court,” Time reported.

The problem, however, was that the “educated” teachers thought they knew better.

“It worked for the students, but not so much for the teachers. ‘For seven years in a row, Oakland was the fastest-gaining urban district in California for reading,’ recalls Weaver. ‘And we hated it,'” according to Time.

And so the “woke” teachers sought to change the way reading is taught by making it “woke,” and sadly, their plot was successful. As a result, students suffered, to the point that these days only 19 percent of black Oakland students can read.

Continuing his remarks in the video posted Tuesday, DeSantis argued that it makes perfect sense to bring on veterans to teach.

“Every morning our students recite the Pledge of Allegiance while looking at The Star-Spangled Banner. And it’s fitting that the teacher in the classroom is somebody who took an oath and put his or her life on the line to serve, protect, and defend our flag and the freedom it represents. From devil dogs to salty dogs and doe boys to fly boys, we respect our veterans and know that they have a lot to offer,” he said.

In separate remarks made during a press conference Tuesday, DeSantis again stressed that the people who have “served our communities have an awful lot to offer.”

“We’ve got people that have served 20 years and in law enforcement, they retire, and some of them are looking for kind of the next chapter in their life. … Well, they’re not going to just sit around on their hands. They want to do something. So we want to provide a pathway we want to incentivize them being able to help,” he said.

DeSantis also proposed offering a $4,000 bonus to retired law enforcement and first responders to get involved.

“Just like we do for veterans, we will do for the other first responders,” DeSantis said. “We will waive the exam fees for the state certification program.”

Vivek Saxena
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