5 ways to show your public school pride

“I’m the first in my family of four children to graduate from college, and I credit this accomplishment to my public school district,” says Amanda Auble, a senior writing seminars and English major at Johns Hopkins University, a top 10 national university located in Baltimore, Maryland.

Like Auble, many current college students say they owe much of their successes to the skills and knowledge America’s public schools have taught them. Notable figures ranging from Warren Buffett to Meryl Streep have graduated from the public school system. Despite the many accomplished students America’s public schools continue to produce, they continue to face a growing number of challenges–from the expansion of charter schools to massive budget cuts.

Following the nomination of controversial Secretary of Education nominee Betsy DeVos, individuals and groups nationwide are in disagreement over what the future of America’s public schools should look like.

Nevertheless, respect for public schools clearly remains strong. Last week, people took to Twitter to show their appreciation for America’s public school system with the hashtag #ilovepublicschools.
Although the hashtag began as part of Nebraska’s I Love Public Schools Day, those from all over the country tweeted in support of the movement. According to data from the U.S. Department of Education, America’s public schools enroll about 90 percent of preK-12 students.

So, if you find yourself among the majority of those who’ve attended an American public school and loved it, here are five steps you can take to say #ilovepublicschools.

1. Support public educators

Teaching can be a thankless job. Not only do teachers dedicate regular working hours to their students, but they spend an average of 12 hours per week on unpaid activities associated with their roles such as advising and paper grading. Whether it’s writing a note to a teacher who positively impacted your life, or voicing your appreciation at a school meeting, demonstrating your own enthusiasm is key.

2. Donate supplies to classrooms

On average, teachers spend about $500 a year of their own money buying school supplies for their students. Collectively, educators save American parents an average of over $1.6 billion in annual school supply costs, according to the Education Market Association. In lower-income areas, where children and their families may not supply necessities such as notebooks or writing utensils, teachers often contribute even more.

3. Know your school committee

School committee members will make decisions that can have lasting influences on the state of public education in your area. Attend a meeting, follow your school board on Twitter. Know what’s going on.

4. Get involved and advocate

Even the most staunch supporters of American public schools agree that aspects of the system need improvement. However, change requires a community’s support. From merely sharing your public school experiences with others, to researching the potential impacts of educational policies, anyone can be an advocate for public schools.

5. TEACH

Many states are currently facing serious teacher shortages. According to a recent study, participation in teacher-preparation courses has decreased 35 percent from 2009 to 2014. Leib Sutcher, who co-authored the report, states that if the United States does not take action, the teacher shortage will continue.

By 2018, annual teacher shortages in America could surpass 100,000 teachers in 2018. So, if you have are invested in the well-being of children and are interested in joining the field, consider a career as a public schoolteacher.

As Auble concludes, “I had some amazing teachers along the way who dedicated their time to support my goals. After graduation I’m also planning on becoming a public school teacher to give back and make the same impact that my teachers made on me.”

Lauren Padilla is a student at Johns Hopkins University and a USA TODAY College digital producer.