On Aug. 21, the third night of the Democratic National Convention, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the vice presidential candidate, addressed a booming crowd. In his speech, Mr. Walz described his career as an educator, where he taught high school geography and social studies, and coached football first in Nebraska and then in Minnesota. From there, encouraged by his students and players, he decided to run for Congress in 2006.
“So there I was, a 40-something high school teacher with little kids, zero political experience and no money running in a deep red district,” Mr. Walz said. “But you know what? Never underestimate a public school teacher. Never.”
Mr. Walz’s nomination is historic: he is the first former school teacher to appear on a major party’s presidential ticket in 50 years. His candidacy has brought education to the center stage of the presidential race, with many Democratic Party members emphasizing the ticket’s vision for the future of America’s education system.
Throughout the DNC in August, multiple keynote speakers, including President Joe Biden and former first lady Michelle Obama, addressed former president Donald Trump’s claim that he will shut down the Department of Education if he returns to office.
“Donald Trump, and his Republican friends, they not only can’t think, they can’t read very well,” Mr. Biden said in his Aug. 19 DNC speech, adding, “Seriously, think about it. Look at their Project 2025. They want to do away with the Department of Education.”
Vice President Kamala Harris echoed those sentiments in her acceptance speech Aug. 22, which drew in over 26 million viewers.
“We are not going to let him eliminate the Department of Education that funds our public schools,” Ms. Harris said.
Leaders of the nation’s two largest teachers unions, American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten and National Education Association president Becky Pringle, applauded Walz’s addition to the ticket.
“Inspired Choice!!! Gov Walz represents America,” Weingarten wrote on a post on X.
U-High history teacher Isaac Berrueta thinks Mr. Walz’s background is meaningful and will inform his role in politics.
“Since he is a former educator, I believe that Coach Walz has a passion for lifelong learning and critical thinking, which reassures me that someone with political power will be methodical and thoughtful in their approach to governance,” Mr. Berrueta said. “Furthermore, as an educator a big part of the gig is adapting to different personalities and learning styles, and so it reassures me that someone with that skill set will be collaborating/debating/feuding with other leaders and constituents.”
In an interview with the U-High Midway at the DNC, U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon said Mr. Walz’s experience in education is important in this presidential race.
“I mean, we’re looking at people right now being concerned about whether they’re going to be able to come out of school in a position to have a life where they can pay their bills,” said Mr. Wyden, who is chair of the Senate Finance Committee. “I think having an educator on the ticket like the vice presidential candidate is a huge help.”
Pat Pettey, a DNC delegate from Kansas, is a retired educator and now a member of the Kansas Senate. She said, as an educator, the vice presidential pick was especially meaningful to her.
“I would always talk to my students about where we live, what are the values of our city and our country. When they go into high school and college, they need to know those things,” Ms. Pettey said. “So, as a teacher, I would encourage my students to look to the future, so I’m excited because the Democratic ticket is encouraging our country to look forward again, not to look back.”
Mr. Berrueta also believes it is important that Mr. Walz’s nomination has brought education to the center stage of the presidential race.
“In a time of such controversy surrounding education, information and book banning,” Mr. Berrueta said, “I think it is of major importance for education to be at the forefront of the national conversation. When other party candidates’ policy positions are to dismantle the Department of Education, it is important to hear opposing viewpoints from primary sources like Coach Walz.”
