Dear Educator, 

In the last few months, PAT has been in the spotlight, locally and nationally. Our campaign for the Time to Get It Right for our students grew directly out of your needs, ideas, and priorities. Our proposals are all designed to address the crushing stress that educators are experiencing this year, the necessity to turn around a historic staffing crisis, and the need to better serve our students during this incredibly challenging year for all of us.

We are not alone. Educators around the country, and from as far away as Brazil, have been reaching out in solidarity because they’ve experienced similar struggles and they share our vision. Together, we are all working toward a public education system that values each one of our students, and our educators and school staff. 

Here in Oregon, we are in solidarity with educators around the state. This weekend, the Oregonian published my op-ed about the workforce crisis, which was co-signed by 46 education union presidents in Oregon. The op-ed details how this workforce crisis impacts our students, and why we owe it to them to find solutions that allow beloved educators to continue in this profession– throughout this year and for the long haul.

On behalf of the entire PAT Executive Board, we are wishing you rest and rejuvenation, as well as hope this winter break, as we continue to organize for a public school system designed to enable students and educators to be their best selves. 

In Solidarity,

Elizabeth Thiel

PAT President