On Wednesday, Jan. 25th, public school classrooms all across the country were colored with red as teachers coordinated their clothes for #RedforEd. The purpose of this silent message was to protest Secretary of Education nominee Betsy DeVos, a school-choice activist and charter school advocate.

DeVos’ first committee hearing in the Senate occurred on Jan. 17th, where she was questioned about her experience, future goals, and beliefs about education, as well as potential conflicts of interest. While supporters of DeVos praise her for her advocacy of charter schools and voucher programs, critics argued that her lack of knowledge about basic education debates, contributions to the Republican Party, and her comments on disability laws during the hearing, made her unfit for the job.

“With the problems that public schools are facing, [charter programs and voucher systems] would take money away from public schools. While they would help students short-term, to be able to go from a poor school or failing school to a better school, that doesn’t fix the problem in the failing school,” said Eric Nickerson, an english teacher in the Special Education department at McLean. “Myself and [MHS teachers wearing red], we recognize that you have to address the problems to actually fix the schools.”

Do you support the decision to nominate Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education?

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Nickerson sent out an email to teachers at McLean explaining #RedforEd and coordinated wearing the color. At McLean High School, there were few teachers who did not choose to wear red. As a result of a suggestion made by P.E. teacher Donald Vivacqua, some wore green instead of red, in order to show their approval of DeVos.

Regardless of whether one approves DeVos or not, there are important steps everyday citizens can take to improve our school systems.

“If you find yourself or your children in a school system that you are unhappy with, that is not meeting your standards, the best thing that anybody can do is mobilize. Get involved in a PTA, PTO, contact the state and demand higher quality,” said Nickerson. “It’s our responsibility to make change in the government. As President Trump said, it belongs to us.”

DeVos is among one of the more controversial cabinet picks of President Donald Trump. According to professional estimates, it is likely DeVos will be confirmed as Secretary of Education, due to a majority-GOP Senate.

The Senate will vote on DeVos’ confirmation on Tuesday, Feb. 7th.

Check out the gallery of teachers below and make sure to vote in the poll!

Gallery • 10 Photos

Mr. Enos, english teacher

(Photographs by Aisha Singh)