NEA-Alaska got it wrong. Begich is the only education champion running for governor.

As an Anchorage-based educator, I have watched many colleagues receive "pink slips" these past few years. When students asked why some of their favorite teachers lost their jobs, I sadly explained the realities, and with the candor only a student can offer, they responded: "So Juneau is using us as political bargaining chips?"

I was skeptical when Mark Begich declared his candidacy, but when I took a closer look at each candidate's plan to improve our classrooms, the choice was clear. Mark Begich and Debra Call are the only candidates with a long-term vision and plan to fully fund education. This is one reason why I respectfully disagree with NEA-Alaska's endorsement of Gov. Bill Walker, and am
supporting Mark Begich.

Since taking office, Gov. Walker has maintained a minimal, status quo effort toward education, commissioning more reports telling us what we already know. I support the aspirations of Alaska's Education Challenge (the governor's education initiative from 2016), but Alaska's students and teachers need action, not another report and list of recommendations.

Mark Begich has shown us time and again — he understands our issues and has what it takes to get things done.

Education was forward-funded this year for the first time under this administration — conveniently an election year — but not pink-slipping educators one out of four years isn't how we're going to recruit and retain quality teachers in Alaska.

That's why I'm supporting Mark Begich.
Mark's plan to provide long term stability for education is simple. Using the percent-of-market-value formula, he will set aside half the earnings for our dividend, and the other half for education. This formula would be enshrined in the Alaska Constitution via amendment. This will ensure that our students are no longer the political bargaining chip my students recognized themselves to be.

Mark is also the only candidate with a real, robust plan to prioritize universal pre-K. It is a moral imperative to prioritize early education, ensuring our kids are ready for a lifetime of growth and development. Ninety percent of brain development occurs by age 5. Prioritizing universal pre-K sets our kids and state up for many successful years.

But even in more practical terms, prioritizing education is good economics. Mark Begich's website notes that for every dollar we spend on high-quality early childhood education, the state gets back $7 in reduced public services, increased economic activity and lower costs for incarceration.

I have yet to see the Walker/Mallott website mention anything on public education. They have remained silent on this and many other important issues, yet received an endorsement for minimal work. It is unconscionable that we've neglected this incredibly important investment for so long. The governor has had almost four years to better prepare our children for school, reduce the burden on state services, and strengthen our economy. Our educational system is one of the worst in the country, and I worry that another four years of the status quo won't
significantly change that.

If Walker/Mallott were in my classroom, they would receive a C-/D+. They're maintaining the status quo — enough to get by, but nothing more.

I know that a lot of people are concerned about the politics of this race. I'm concerned about my students. I know a lot of people are worried that a three-way race will split the vote. I'm worried we won't have a governor with the leadership and vision to finally get politics out of our classrooms. Many people are voting their fear. I'm voting my values, and that's why I'm voting for Mark Begich.

Derek Reed is an educator in the Anchorage area. He is a grassroots activist for progressive causes and a member of NEA-Alaska.

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