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My friend,
Hundreds of thousands of Minnesota students across our state went back to school this week. As a former public school teacher and a dad, this is always a meaningful time of year for me.
Even though I’m not in front of a classroom this year, I approach every day in my job as a “teacher-governor.” That’s because the education of our children determines the future of our state.
Every student in Minnesota deserves to learn in the best schools in the country with caring, qualified teachers. But as I travel around the state, I see how the quality of a student’s education is too often dependent on their race or zip code.
Disparities in our educational system based on geography, race, or economic status hold back not only our students, but our entire state from reaching its full potential. It’s unacceptable.
We must make Minnesota the “Education State” for all children -- no matter who they are or where they live. I’m going to work every day to get the job done, but I need to know you’re with me.
If we’re going to be successful, every politician, every community, and every Minnesotan must value our teachers, our principals, our mentors, our paraprofessionals, our bus drivers and, of course, our students.
Education is the great equalizer of society. Education unleashes untapped potential. Education conjures the magic of promising beginnings and the grace of second chances.
Have a great school year,
Tim Walz