This photo shows the University of Alaska Southeast campus in Juneau. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire File)

This photo shows the University of Alaska Southeast campus in Juneau. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: I’m a longtime educator, and I’m supporting Walker/Drygas

The issues our state faces are significant with regard to education.

  • By Heather Batchelder
  • Friday, July 29, 2022 11:44pm
  • Opinion

By Heather Batchelder

I have been in education since 1996. I served as a paraprofessional, a special educator, and I currently prepare teachers to work with students who experience exceptionalities. The state of education in Alaska is why I write in support of the Walker/Drygas gubernatorial campaign.

The issues our state faces are significant with regard to education, the teacher shortage and the compounded years of defunding P-12 and post-secondary education systems in Alaska.

Under the Dunleavy administration, the University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks and University of Alaska Southeast and their community campuses endured large budget reductions. Providing inadequate funding for the university system means shrinking the economy as economic growth depends on the availability of skilled workers who are educated within the UA system. A university system that is constantly operating under a crisis cannot maintain faculty and students to meet Alaska’s needs. The cuts to the university system and the elimination of scholarships for students attending the universities have resulted in the loss of faculty, and student enrollments are in a downturn.

Recent news stories have highlighted the severe shortage of teachers in Alaska. An appropriately funded university system can work with the State to alleviate these shortages collaboratively. The National Education Association chapter in Alaska, an educational advocacy group with over 12,000 members statewide, endorsed the Walker /Drygas team for their documented track record of support for education. Alaskans need and deserve a high quality public education system. We have to elect a new governor who supports and funds P-12 education for the public good in a sustainable manner.

Bill Walker and Heidi Drygas are leaders who understand that in order to have a sustainable and prosperous state, we need an appropriately funded stable university system that can maintain faculty and serve student needs now and into Alaska’s future. They each have stated their support for public education and the UA system.

I urge all Alaskans to vote in the upcoming Aug. 16 primary where we will vote for one candidate.

Vote for the Bill Walker/Heidi Drygas team and the future of our state.

Heather Batchelder is an associate professor of education at University of Alaska Southeast.

More in Opinion

Nick Begich III campaign materials sit on tables ahead of a May 16, 2022, GOP debate held in Juneau. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: North to a Brighter Future

The policies championed by the Biden/Harris Administration and their allies in Congress have made it harder for us to live the Alaskan way of life

Soldotna City Council member Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings participates in the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL candidate forum series, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Opinion: I’m a Soldotna Republican and will vote No on 2

Open primaries and ranked choice voting offer a way to put power back into the hands of voters, where it belongs

Shrubs grow outside of the Kenai Courthouse on Monday, July 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Opinion: Vote yes to retain Judge Zeman and all judges on your ballot

Alaska’s state judges should never be chosen or rejected based on partisan political agendas

A vintage Underwood typewriter sits on a table on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, at the Homer News in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Point of View: District 6 needs to return to representation before Vance

Since Vance’s election she has closely aligned herself with the far-right representatives from Mat-Su and Gov. Mike Dunleavy

The Anchor River flows in the Anchor Point State Recreation Area on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Opinion: Help ensure Alaskans have rights to use, enjoy and care for rivers

It is discouraging to see the Department of Natural Resources seemingly on track to erode the public’s ability to protect vital water interests.

A sign directing voters to the Alaska Division of Elections polling place is seen in Kenai, Alaska, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Vote no on Ballot Measure 2

A yes vote would return Alaska to party controlled closed primaries and general elections in which the candidate need not win an outright majority to be elected.

Derrick Green (Courtesy photo)
Opinion: Ballot Measure 1 will help businesses and communities thrive

It would not be good for the health and safety of my staff, my customers, or my family if workers are too worried about missing pay to stay home when they are sick.

A sign warns of the presence of endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales at the Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, July 10, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Opinion: Could an unnecessary gold mine drive Cook Inlet belugas extinct?

An industrial port for the proposed Johnson Tract gold mine could decimate the bay

Cassie Lawver. Photo provided by Cassie Lawver
Point of View: A clear choice

Sarah Vance has consistently stood up for policies that reflect the needs of our district

Alex Koplin. (courtesy photo)
Point of View: Ranked choice gives voters more voice

The major political parties are not in touch with all Alaskans