As a former public school science teacher, a parent, and a former school board member, strengthening our public schools and providing a high quality education to Nebraska kids is an issue I’m deeply passionate about. Access to the highest quality education should never depend on the zip code where you live. Over the last few years, we’ve also watched our teachers adapt and persevere in the most challenging circumstances. They deserve to be paid higher wages that are commensurate with their service to our kids and our communities.

At the same time, we must ensure that our schools remain open and can fulfill their critical mission of teaching Nebraska students, who have already suffered too much from pandemic-related closures.

As the first generation of my family to graduate college, I borrowed and worked my way through earning Bachelors and Masters degrees. I know first-hand how the burden of student loans can contribute to income inequality and cycles of debt. I would vote to expand Pell Grants, and provide additional tax credits for families who could use help in paying tuition. And I’ll work to expand access to vocational and skills training, providing pathways into good-paying trade jobs.

As a state senator, I’ve worked hard to improve educational opportunities for kids and to support our teachers. Just this year, I introduced a bill to address the teacher shortage by creating a pathway for more highly trained teachers to get into classrooms more quickly. I’ve also introduced and passed legislation to increase financial support for opportunities in higher education through state and federal grants and student loans.

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