Ellen Wheeler teacher at Mount Hope elementary and she's concerned about the future of public schools if Betsy Devos is confirmed as the secretary of education in president-elect Donald Trump's cabinet.
"I think most teachers feel that somebody that has not educated her own kids ion public schools, nor do I think that she has herself gone to a public school, would understand the way we're organized and how we educate our students," explains Wheeler.
Teachers across the state wore red on Tuesday to show support for public education.
But Dan Quisenberry of the Michigan Association of Public School Academies, which represents charter schools, says he doesn't think it's fair for teachers to be opposed to Devos from the start:
"Let's give her a chance to show the support that she's shown in Grand Rapids by being supportive of not just charters and other kinds of reform, but the Grand Rapids public school system," asks Quisenberry. "She's a friend of kids and families and better outcomes, and better outcomes for teachers and people working in schools."
But Chuck Alberts of the Lansing Schools Education Association doesn't think Devos has the resume to earn the support of public school teachers.
"It's safe to say that we're concerned," intimates Alberts, "cause she doesn't have a vested background in public education."
Alberts says teachers wearing red is bigger than just Tuesday's confirmation hearing, but also to raise awareness about the importance of public education."
