The Network for Public Education Action Fund enthusiastically endorses Zephyr Teachout for Congress.

She will be a clear, forceful advocate for public schools and educators in Congress.

The Network for Public Education Action gives our unqualified endorsement to Zephyr Teachout to represent New York’s 19th Congressional District.

Zephyr’s strong, progressive support for public education is well known throughout New York State. During her Democratic primary bid for New York Governor, her support for democratically-governed public education was a prominent part of her platform.

“After reading her survey responses and speaking with activists in New York, I cannot think of a better candidate on our issues,” said Network for Public Education Action Executive Director, Carol Burris. “Zephyr is fearless and pure in her support of public schools and student-centered learning. She has a genuine admiration for the work of teachers and principals. She understands that respect is at the heart of effective school improvement.“

Zephyr is an Associate at Fordham University School of Law. She is the former National Director at the Sunlight Foundation, Board Chair and Executive Director at MaydayPAC, and Board Member at Fight for the Future.

She describes her own educational background this way. “I grew up in a small town and went to a great public elementary school and high school. My teachers were demanding. But they were also attentive, because they had the time and support to see each child and teach us not only the basics, but also about creativity and the responsibilities that all people have to each other. The teachers themselves, along with the parents, had a real say in defining and measuring our progress.”

Those experiences have helped shaped her present educational positions. She opposes the Common Core and high-stakes testing. She believes that tests should be viewed as a tool for teachers to gauge how students have learned, not to evaluate teachers or determine their pay, and she believes that schools should be closed in only the most extreme circumstances. “The closure movement has been disastrous — eliminating neighborhood pillars in communities that most need them. I am deeply concerned with policies like those adopted in New York City and Chicago, that use test scores and graduation rates to justify school closings, but do nothing to address the underlying reasons for underachievement that exist beyond the schoolhouse. “

Zephyr Teachout will face her opponent, lobbyist John Faso, for a congressional seat on November 8.

Zephyr Teachout is a fierce opponent of big money and privatization.

Please read her 11-page report on hedge funders and the corporate assault on public education here.