Back-to-School … Teachers and Students Rule
By: Pete P. Gallego
August is special for many reasons. I spend the entire month meeting with constituents and traveling in the 23rd District of Texas. I visit my mom and family members in Alpine, Fort Stockton and El Paso. But, my biggest event of the month was seeing Nicolás Miguel go off to his first day of school in 4th grade.
I cannot really describe what it’s like to be a parent. I thought I led a fulfilling life before he came along . . . but I had no clue how much depth, how much joy and how much love Nicolás would add to María Elena’s and my life. Nicolás is the single greatest gift María Elena and I have ever received. Nothing else even comes close.
Nicolás loves history, science and technology. He enjoys using an iPad. He likes to spend time with his grandmother in Alpine, his grandparents in Laredo, and his aunts in El Paso. He knows most of our staff by name and has a relationship with most if not all of them. He likes to play basketball, go to camp and learn about science. He asks a lot of questions and is familiar with most areas of the 23rd District of Texas. He enjoys the mountains of Far West Texas in particular the most.
Nicolás has taught and reinforced in me many things: the challenges of parenting, the innocence of children, the love of family, and the importance of education. As thousands of parents across the district and across the country send their kids, whether young children or young adults, back to school for another year, I count myself lucky to be part of a group of people who are passionate about the future – because the future is our children.
As thousands of teachers prepare their classrooms in the 23rd District of Texas, bus operators ready their buses for another school year, coaches equip the playgrounds for physical activity and school administrators fill teaching spots, let’s wish every single person involved in the education of our children an incredible school year in 2014-2015. And, let’s thank them for the critical role they will play in our children’s future.
I love being a parent – and I know many of us feel the same way. I want the best for my kid. Who doesn’t feel the same way about their children? So let’s work together to give our children the best education possible. We can do it.
At the local level, we can promise to be more involved in the education of our sons and daughters. At the state level, we can push for policies that allow our teachers to teach instead of giving standardized tests and filing reports. At the federal level, we can push for more aid to districts in need and more flexibility to allow innovation.
As the U.S. Representative for the 23rd District of Texas, I’ll continue to do all I can to make educational opportunities more available to students in the district – whether it is a toddler starting head start or a veteran student returning to college after years of service. Whatever the challenges our nation faces, education is the solution. Education solves every problem.
All our kids have dreams. Nicolás dreams of being a scientist. This year, let’s start early and work to make our kids’ dreams come true.
As always, if you need help with a federal agency or department, wish to speak to staff or have a message for me, you can visit our offices throughout the district or call. You can learn more at www.gallego.house.gov. I hope to see you around soon.
