Press Release: Gov. Evers Releases Video Message Welcoming Educators, Staff, and Administrators Back to School

State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 09/06/2024 01:00 PM CDT
Office of Governor Tony Evers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 6, 2024
Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov 
 
Gov. Evers Releases Video Message Welcoming Educators, Staff, and Administrators Back to School
 
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today, as part of his statewide back-to-school tour, shared a video message welcoming educators, staff, and administrators back to school for the 2024-25 school year. The governor earlier this week also delivered his weekly radio address welcoming students, parents, and families back to school. Gov. Evers this week kicked off his annual statewide back-to-school tour with visits to schools in Milwaukee, Eau Claire, Superior, Madison, Oshkosh, Stevens Point, Shell Lake, and Montello. The governor will continue his statewide back-to-school tour next week.

Gov. Evers has spent most of his life in education fighting for Wisconsin’s kids, first beginning his career as a science teacher in Baraboo, Wisconsin, and then going on to become a principal, superintendent, and state superintendent before running for governor in 2018. This year marks his 48th back-to-school season.

The governor’s back-to-school video message is available here, and a transcript of the video message is available below. 

Back to School

Hey there, folks. Governor Tony Evers here.

Welcome back to school!

As a former science teacher, principal, superintendent, and state superintendent, I am so excited to be celebrating my 48th back-to-school season with students, families, educators, staff, and administrators from across Wisconsin this week.

The first day of school is one of my favorite days of the year because each school year means new opportunities for educators and students alike to learn, grow, and be inspired.

The start of the school year can mean a lot of change, but there’s a lot of exciting work ahead of us each school year, and I know we’re going to make this a great year, together.

So, I want to kick off this year with a quick message to remind you how grateful I am for the work you do to go above and beyond for our kids, even before they walk through the front doors on the first day.

And I’ll begin with two words I know you don’t hear nearly enough as often as you should—thank you.

I know firsthand that our educators go above and beyond to help students reach their full potential.

Your jobs are far from easy, and while the back-to-school season is exciting, it’s not without its own unique stress and challenges. So, I want you to know that your hard work is noticed and appreciated. I know our kids are in good hands.

It’s no secret that I ran to be governor because I believe, as I’ve always said, that what’s best for our kids is what’s best for our state.

As we head into a new school year, I want you to know that I am always in your corner, and I’ll keep fighting for you and kids, families, educators, and schools across our state—whether it’s fighting to fully invest in and fund public education at every level, keeping class sizes small, investing in school-based mental health services, and making sure kids have the resources and support they need to be successful. You name it.

As governor, I’ll always work to ensure that you all have the resources and support you need and the respect you deserve to do what you do best.

And we’ll keep working to connect the dots to address transportation, affordable housing, and healthcare access, among so many other issues, that we know affect whether our kids can bring their full and best selves to our classrooms.

Folks, you and I both know it takes a heck of a lot of hard work to make a school community thrive, but you are so important and play an invaluable role in the lives of our kids. You’re a hero in my book, not just to me but to the kids and families you help support every day.

So, keep up the good work. We have exciting and big work to accomplish during this school year, folks. And let’s make this school year one of the best ones yet.

Thank you.
 
An online version of this release is available here.
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