Key Takeaways
- Educators and public education advocates united across race, faith, and place in South Carolina to mobilize for the election, and our work together is just beginning.
- Nothing will deter members of The SCEA from organizing and working for a South Carolina that fulfills the promise of public education for all children from Oconee to Horry and Chesterfield to Charleston.
- The SCEA calls on all educators and school staff to remain united and to join our movement to advocate as a collective voice for the change we need for the schools our children deserve.
COLUMBIA — On Tuesday evening, The South Carolina Education Association (The SCEA) President Sherry East responded to the election of Ellen Weaver as the South Carolina State Superintendent of Education.
“No matter a child’s race, background, or zip code, educators and families believe children in South Carolina have the right to a public education that helps them reach their full potential. South Carolinians expect Ellen Weaver to work for all children and families—no exceptions,” said The SCEA President Sherry East. “No matter who serves as State Superintendent, members of The SCEA will continue to fight for students and the public schools that children, families, educators, and school staff deserve.”
“State Superintendent of Education-elect Ellen Weaver will enter office during a record educator and school staff shortage that has become a five-alarm crisis. In order to address this crisis head-on, Weaver will need to listen to and consult with the frontline experts in our public schools to fill empty classrooms. While Ellen Weaver did not respond to any invitations for a conversation with our members prior to election day, we remain ready to meet and share our expertise anytime.”
“While this election didn’t achieve the result we’d hoped for, educators united across race, faith, and place in South Carolina to mobilize for the election, and our work together is just beginning. Nothing will deter us from organizing and working for a South Carolina that fulfills the promise of public education for all children from Oconee to Horry and Chesterfield to Charleston. We call on all educators and school staff to remain united and to join our movement to advocate as a collective voice for fully-funded public schools, better working and learning conditions, and the opportunities our children need to succeed.”
For more information on The SCEA’s work to advocate for the change children, families, educators, and school staff deserve, head to The SCEA Action Center at thescea.org/act.
