In a press conference on August 3rd, while thousands of dedicated teachers gathered to prepare for the school year ahead, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis commented he would “take a Marine every day of the week over an Ed major” to teach Florida’s students.

Video Linked HERE

While we all share the upmost respect for the military, veterans, and their service, the training of a teacher and the training of a solider are very very different. Clearly those in Tallahassee are unaware of this so it’s time to show them. Below is the letter and challenge we want to send to our Governor. 

Dear Gov. DeSantis,

As a Florida educator, trained, licensed, and practicing in the state, parents of a student in Florida, or other individual with a vested interest in the future of the children of Florida, we stand in shock of your comments on August 3rd that you would “take a Marine every day of the week over an Ed major” to teach in Florida’s classrooms. 

But rather than get angry, protest, or stage a walk out that ultimately harms the end goal of all school staff, which is to teach and provide for our children, we are calling your bluff. 

We the undersigned challenge you and any other military member past or present of your choice who has no classroom experience to teach in our classrooms for a week. We will give you the basics all transitional teachers get in their pre-week before school starts. But that’s it. Let’s see how the Marine’s training equates to the education majors. Especially those who often hold advanced degrees, specializations for working with children, and years of service in the classroom. 

Are you a man of your word? We the signed below are those of ours. So step up to the challenge and let’s all see what we can learn.

Signed,

Florida educators and friends