‘We can move away from despair and take action’

LOUISVILLE — As millions of students around the country were saying goodbye to their teachers and their classmates for the summer, almost 200 people attended a Presbyterian Advocacy Hour Wednesday focused on public education.

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“Education is in trouble. We have witnessed attacks on education by the current administration,” said the Rev. Dr. Alonzo Johnson, convenor of the PC(USA)’s Education Roundtable. “But there is something we can do about it. We can move away from despair and take action.”

Presenters offered strategies for supporting students and classrooms in their communities.

“The quality of education we experience begins at home” by “reading and talking to our children,” said Dr. Wanda Beauman, a retired educator and an Education Roundtable member. “We as the church want to include, encourage and support them” through strategies that include:

• Focusing on education-oriented ministry
• Supporting congregations in starting or improving educational programs
• Sharing advocacy and resources
• Encouraging local education advocacy and providing resources, including funding sources, for ministries.

Johnson pointed attendees toward “Loving Our Neighbors: Equity and Quality in Public Education (K-12),” the most recent General Assembly statement on education, which was approved in 2010.

The Rev. Suzanne Parker Miller, executive director of Pastors for North Carolina Children, pointed to a long list of those who “make decisions for our schools,” including the president, Congress, the courts, the U.S. Department of Education, the Department of Agriculture (which provides breakfast and lunch programs “to make sure students have full bellies to learn”), state legislatures, local school boards, superintendents, principals and teachers.

Miller called it “our job” to counter and dismantle Christian nationalism, “the number one threat to education today” because of its connection to school vouchers that “defund public schools,” book bans, and other initiatives.

Renee Danyo, a retired Detroit educator and member of the Education Roundtable, appeared alongside Andrew Reinel, director of adult and neighborhood organizing at 482 Forward, a Detroit-based education justice coalition. Reinel explained the organization began about 10 years ago when the state of Michigan took over Detroit Public Schools when the schools went bankrupt. Since then, 482 Forward “has been active in the education scene to get students the quality education they deserve,” Reinel said.

“Even the better public schools in Detroit are facing things no kid should have to go through,” Reinel said. Dangerous schools and crowded classrooms continue to be issues, “and we are behind in several academic measures.”

482 Forward is working to galvanize voters behind a statewide ballot initiative planned for next year around increasing school funding. “We’re it. There is no cavalry to come save us,” Reinel said. “We know Covid money is running out, and with threats from the federal level, this [ballot initiative] is something folks are excited about.”

Laura Zhang-Choi of New Jersey, another member of the Education Roundtable, offered up a list of what congregations can do to boost schools in their neighborhood. The list included supporting students and teachers at community functions, assigning a ruling elder or outreach-focused committee “to check in with the district,” and attending school board meetings “to support staff and advocate for students. Show up with a clergy collar, if necessary,” she advised pastors on the call.

The Rev. Dave Brown, who’s also a member of the Education Roundtable, had a list of six things “every church can do to support public education”:

• Celebrate and pray for educators in worship one Sunday in the fall.
• Meet the principal of the public school nearest the church. “Be sure they know your support,” Brown suggested. “Be clear that you support the separation of church and state.”
• For preachers: Offer a sermon on education, knowledge, equity and the way of Jesus.
• Create a fund that can be used by teachers for out-of-pocket expenses, and publicize the existence of the fund.
• Establish a school board liaison person or team. Host a school board candidates forum, or a forum for others running for office with a focus on public education.
• Explore establishing a before- or after-school program at your church.

Bruna Bouhid, senior policy director for United We Dream, the largest immigrant youth-led community in the nation, noted the stories of disappearances happening to immigrants at the hands of law enforcement.

“I share this not to paralyze us into fear, but to empower us into action,” Bouhid said. “We need folks speaking out. Let’s be community together.”

Later Wednesday, the PC(USA)’s Office of Public Witness issued this Action Alert, urging Presbyterians to “take a stand in faith to defend public education.”

“Public schools remain among the few civic institutions committed to serving all children, regardless of race, religion, ZIP code, economic status or ability,” the Action Alert states. “They are essential to preparing people not just for work, but for citizenship, critical thinking and community engagement.”

Using the Action Alert format allows Presbyterians and others to easily and quickly contact their elected officials. “Speak out in defense of public education,” the Action Alert urges. “Our children — and our democracy — depend on it.”

The Presbyterian Advocacy Hour is offered at noon Eastern Time on the fourth Wednesday of every month. The June 25 edition will focus on Israel/Palestine. Learn more and register here.