Meeting Public Comments

Subcommittee meeting and times are as follows:

A bill for an act prohibiting school districts and charter schools from taking disciplinary action against employees, contractors, or students for the use of legal names or for the failure to use personal pronouns in official communications.(See HF 620.)

Subcommittee members: Stone-CH, Matson, Moore, T.

Date: Thursday, February 23, 2023

Time: 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Location: RM 304

Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.

Comments Submitted:

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02-22-2023

Patty SeregAlexander []

Please support this bill! Teachers and school personnel should not be required to use the pronouns or students ever changing preferred names. Teachers have enough to do and can't keep track of daily changing pronouns.

02-22-2023

Elizabeth Lundberg []

Please reject this bill. All students deserve the dignity, respect, and safety of being correctly named and gendered. It is not hard for teachers or classmates to learn and use correct names and pronouns for the people they will be seeing five days a week for a yearthey would have to go out of their way to get it wrong. And that kind of purposeful cruelty to children should be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.

02-22-2023

Nathan Morton []

Its not hard to address people how they want to be addressed. Since kindergarten, 39 years ago, I have been asked if I prefer Nathan or Nate. School staff who make a point of not using another persons correct name or willfully misgender someone is politicizing schools/workplaces and targeting specific individuals. They should absolutely face appropriate disciplinary action. Vote no on this bill

02-22-2023

Destiny Slauson []

Please reject this bill! As a recent college graduate that spent countless hours in our Iowa classrooms student teaching, I can recognize that students deserve to be called by what they identify as. It is not hard to call someone what they prefer to be called. It is disrespectful and undermining to the student to be misidentified.

02-22-2023

Dessie Sliekers []

Please vote NO on this bill. As a mother of a trans child, it is incredibly impactful that her teachers and school staff have been able to use her name and pronouns. I made the request to update her information in infantile campus and once that was done, the transition was seamless for the teachers and super easy. Using her correct name and pronouns has not been a burden on her teachers in any way. However, taking that away from her, a child, would be incredibly cruel and pointless. Passing this bill will make trans kids feel erased and invalidated, and we are likely to see an increase in teen suicides. Please, vote NO on this bill.

02-22-2023

Kyle Barton []

Please reject this bill. Students cannot learn in an environment that is hostile toward them and in which they are not welcomed as themselves. Please allow students to be treated with dignity and respect. It is imperative to reject this bill and support our students and educators.

02-22-2023

Gretchen Lawyer []

HF 367 creates a loophole for bullying, plain and simple. People should be treated with respect, and that includes addressing them as they would like to be addressed. As an educator, this bill would tie my hands if other students were bullying and harassing another student or staff member by using the wrong name purposefully and repeatedly. It takes control away from the teacher and would cause great disruption to the learning environment. Reject this harmful bill.

02-22-2023

Tiffany DeBow []

Please vote no on this unnecessarily cruel bill. No where does using the name a pertain requests it call them violate another person's rights or religion. It happens literally all the time. "Robert, nice to meet you." "Please, call me Bob." It is literally no different if instead Robert wants to to call them Roberta. Stop protecting hate.

02-22-2023

Eric Johnson []

I strongly oppose this bill. If adopted it would encourage bullying of vulnerable students and would discourage respect for students. This bill represents a ridiculous step in micromanaging the work of individual schools and districts.

02-22-2023

Jill Bjorklund []

Reject this bill! As the mother of a trans child who uses a different name (which is the only name that shows up in Infinite Campus for the teachers to see) than her birth certificate, she would be devastated if she was misgendered and deadnamed all day long at school. As a teacher, we are obligated by the state teaching standards to create a safe learning environment and use the knowledge of each students diverse needs to best instruct them, let alone model to our students how to be respectful of others. This is a cruel bill, and statistics show that our queer youth will suffer the most which will be evident in absenteeism, bullying, selfharm, depression, isolation, and of course the worst outcome we can all think of suicide. Prioritize the safety of kids over the comfort of adults. Stand up for Iowas students vote no!

02-22-2023

Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter []

I'm opposed to disciplinary actions taken against employees, contractors, students and any other individual or group for using legal names and preferred pronouns. Allowing people to preserve their identities hurts no one, and it creates a more inclusive environment. Creating inclusive spaces is shown to increase participation, productivity and ensures all needs are met, not just a few. Politicizing the use of legal names and preferred pronouns works against creating inclusive spaces.

02-23-2023

Tom Smith []

Please don't let this bill pass. Respect our children while they are impressionable and address them correctly. What are they learning if teachers are showing them how to disrespect others? Governor Reynolds is seeking political points and gain from these numerous 2023 bills against LGBTQ children.

02-23-2023

Lori Vanlo []

Reject this bill. This is nonsense. For all of time people have chosen names to go by. Williams go by Bill. Robert's go by Bob. Francis goes by Fanny. I could keep going. If you can't use someone's pronouns, I'm assuming you want gender neutral bathrooms. No Mr or Mrs for teachers. There would be no BOY sports or GIRL sports because that's gender identity as well. Let's not forget that a lot of GRAMMAR is teaching pronouns that we use in everyday language: he, she, they, it, you, etcetera. Or maybe you are just ab Nazi and hate that Trans people exist in this world. Yes nazis hated lgbtq people. Google it.

02-23-2023

Dana Means []

I strongly oppose this bill. Daily I look into the eyes of real people who just wanted to be accepted for who they are. Using a persons preferred pronoun is such an easy way to let another human know they are seen and respected. Doing so hurts NO ONE. Respectfully, I request that you vote NO.

02-23-2023

Holly Herbert []

Please reject this bill. Recognizing someone's identity by using the name they've chosen as well as their stated gender pronouns is one of the most basic forms of respect. If your name is Susan, but I constantly gaslight you and call you Laura, how might that make you feel? LGBTQ students already face enough bullying from their peers for being "different." Adults serve as role models for behavior and should provide safe, loving environments for LGBTQ students, which includes using their chosen names and stated pronouns. This is the most basic level of respect we can give one another. Please exercise human decency and reject this bill.

02-23-2023

Vanessa La Mar []

Please stop this bill. State sponsored bullying of children is not okay.In Adel Iowa between the years 99 and 00, I had recently moved to the area and was trying to make friends. Ones that I could come out to. The school administration bullied me and labeled me a 'school shooter' for having a list of names right after columbine and for trying to come out. It was a list of my best friends. I wanted to invite to them to my birthday. I was gonna come out then.The school placed me in in school suspension. For days on end. For several weeks while they 'investigated' me. I ended up suffering from what could arguably be described as White room torture. We as a society do this torture in Guantanamo and in ADM middle school.That's when I started suicidal ideation. Because adults bullied me. It lasted until I was able to escape from their clutches and live my own life for me. I'm now post affirmation, I am at peace, resilient, proud, and compelled to share my story.This is what we are enabling with this bill.Please don't subject children to this kind of torture just because they are trans.

02-23-2023

Katie Liskey []

Please reject this bill. Protecting and promoting the security of Iowa students in their identities is a basic principle and should be implemented in our schools, at the very least. The act of asking a student their preferred name already occurs on a daily basis in schools. Since I started school I have been asked if I prefer to be called Katherine or Katie with no issues. Why would it be any different with pronouns? This is a simple action that can have profound positive effects on students struggling with their identities. Stop persecuting teachers for trying to protect their students by implementing simple actions like this.

02-23-2023

Jane Robinette []

Under this bill, no one in school could be even verbally reprimanded for not showing another person the due respect of being called by the name they prefer when it's not their "legal" name. That is simply wrong. And when it's a teacher or school employee misnaming/misgendering a student, it serves as a model of disrespect and bullying for their other students. Oppose this bill.

02-23-2023

MELISSA MCALLISTER []

My name is Melissa McAllister. I am a small business owner and resident in Ankeny, Iowa. I volunteer weekly in the schools, working with students directly. I am writing to you to beg you to vote no on HF367. This bill is incredibly dangerous and harmful to students who are in the LGBTQIA+ communityplease reject this bill. As a weekly volunteer in the schools, I know that students deserve to be called by what they identify as. To do otherwise is disrespectful and wrong. It is not difficult to call someone by their preferred pronouns. Weve all grown up doing that. It is disrespectful and undermining to the student to be misidentified.LGBTQIA+ youth are already at a higher risk for selfharm; they are already ostracized by their peers, feel little to no support from their community, and, for some, even from their families. Our youth need what protection they do have from the schools right now to continue. I am the parent of a trans daughter. My daughter often feels unsafe at school with her peers and experiences crippling anxiety. Legislating that teachers and staff may now actively misgender her is cruel. I urge you to prioritize the safety of LGBTQ youth over adults discomfort. I beg you to vote NO on advancing this bill.Melissa McAllisterAnkeny, Iowa

02-23-2023

Jennifer Sparks []

Please do not pass this nonsense. This will just encourage bullying. Im incredibly disappointed that this is the path our Republican leaders have taken. Children should feel safe and excepted at school. Its hard enough being a kid/teen. Why in the hell would we as a state want to make it harder. Please stop with this unnecessary hate.

02-23-2023

Kathy Graeve []

Reject this bill immediately. Stop the targeting of LGBTQ students.Stop the culture wars and actually legislate on issues that will improve Iowa and repair our very damaged reputation. Many CEOs are quietly moving their operations to other states where they can find workers. No one wants their business to be associated with a state that is backwards and regressive.

02-23-2023

Oliver Bardwell [Iowans 4 Freedom]

I support this bill. It's sad that common sense needs to be legislated. It can be harmful for everyone to participate in someone's delusion about their gender "identity". In many instances in children what they "Identify" as can change from week to week depending on who they are following on tik toc or what fanciful book they read the day before. Forcing someone to participate in the illness of this subculture is a violation of their religious and individual rights and liberties.

02-23-2023

Cara Muta []

Please reject this bill. It is disrespectful to all involved. Something as simple as using a name can make or break someone. We should strive to do better and be better, to uplift people rather than tear them down.

02-23-2023

Deb Kline []

I oppose this legislation. All students deserve respect including the use of accurate names and pronouns and gender affirming treatment. It is ridiculous to force your bias onto others and intentionally harm them. Do better!

02-23-2023

J Scott []

I support this bill. I encourage you to vote yes to this bill that will help stop the madness we are seeing in our schools today. If a student has a nickname or abbreviated name that is one thing, (example, Jonathan prefers to go by Johnny as that is what mom & dad and family call him) but if they are choosing to be someone else for a period of time I dont feel that teachers and staff should need to or be forced to keep up with that. These fads can change from month to month and year to year. The entire pronoun nonsense has gotten out of hand and needs this bill to pass to put a stop to it. It has caused more confusion than good and has no part in our schools.

02-23-2023

Kory Fischer []

I support this bill,what ever happened to Mr and Mrs.,who God created us to be in the beginning of time?Gender disphoria is a mental illness that needs to be addressed. Please protect the innocence of our children and pass this bill. Thank you and God bless.

02-23-2023

Bridget Porto []

This bill is just another way for students to be bullied at school for simply existing. Many teachers ask students if they have a name they would prefer to be called, like a nickname. How is this any different? Please respect a student's dignity.

02-23-2023

Eric Saylor []

This bill is one of the most meanspirited, smallminded, petty things I have ever seen. It is designed not just to give bigoted behavior a pass, but to hurt children whom the sponsors are, for some unknowable reason, utterly terrified of. It should be rejected out of hand.

02-23-2023

Anonymous Educator []

Do NOT advance this bill. Every person deserves to be called by the name/pronouns they choose. Teachers who purposefully use the incorrect name or pronouns for a child are bullies and do not belong in public education.

02-23-2023

Brian Scott []

I believe it is absurd to punish a teacher for using an incorrect name or pronoun for any student. We sometimes get names wrong, and any student who chooses to be recognized by a pronoun makes it just that much more difficult on the teacher to remember something other than a name for a student. Personally, I believe that its insane that this even has to be discussed. . Wokeness is out of control!

02-23-2023

Dayna McHone []

I support this bill. Teachers should not be forced to do something that goes against their religious beliefs. Also, choosing a pronoun could be ever changing. Forcing this could drastically reduce an already dwindling number of good teachers and it goes against the first amendment.Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for lightand light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20

02-23-2023

Mary Kenyon []

I oppose this bill as it is unnecessary micromanaging from the statehouse. It is not a burden to call a person by the name or pronouns they prefer. Calling someone by their preferred name and pronouns is a matter of basic respect. We owe it to our young people to show them this level of respect.

02-23-2023

Roy Birchard []

In real life birth names and given names within families may vary as well as the names people utilize throughout a long lifetime. This is just a campaign ploy to advance the governor as a potential Republic vice presidential candidate. Also, it really has a malicious and hateful aspect.

02-23-2023

Nicole Scott []

Please reject this bill. All people should be treated with dignity and addressed by the name that makes them comfortable. As a teacher, I always ask my students their preferred name. Its not hard and it means a lot to all students. I realized this bill is targeted at our trans students. Havent they already been harassed enough? This is a population of students who are more likely to attempt to end their life because of bullying. The legislative and executive branches of our state government dont need to pile on the hate.

02-23-2023

Mandy Gilbert []

I support this bill as I understand the rights afforded under FERPA. If parents want their students to go by a different name than their legal name, FERPA protects their privacy with the school to implement. No one should be punished for using names that are provided on school documents by the family.

02-23-2023

Gene Stevens []

Please support this bill. No one in all of world history has been disciplined for failing to call another human being by their proper name, title,nickman or pronouns,unless that demand was being made a person with the proper name, title, nickname, or in this case pronoun. Was held by a king, queen, bullies..Or person given extra legal protected status under erroneous laws.This can. AND as I've already witnessed first hand. Will Lead to hostile workplace situtions, NO ONE. Should ever lose their job or be subjected to legal action in these cases.

02-23-2023

Sophie Steffensmeier []

Vote NO! Not only does this create a loophole for bullying trans and nontrans students alike, it's a horrible waste of time. If this truly was some kind of issue, why was this not "solved" years ago? I'll give you a hint: it's because this is an answer in search of a problem. I fail to understand why these types of bills keep cropping up. Is it because LGBTQ+ people became more visible and accepted in society? Does that scare you? Does treating people who are different from you with respect as fellow human beings somehow hurt you? If it does, I kindly request you find a different vocation aside from politics. Representatives are meant to represent all of their constituents, and that includes members of the LGBTQ+ community. Vote NO.

02-23-2023

Kellie Nath []

HF367 is another attack on Iowa's CHILDREN. Affirming a child's identity is Suicide Prevention. Full Stop. A teacher would know this and Should treat each child as a person deserving respect. Honoring who children say they are would be a minimum action by a school district. This legislation is set up to protect adults who want to bully vulnerable children. Vote NO HF367

02-23-2023

Debra Jensen []

This bill will injure children and teachers. Everyone needs to learn the importance of inclusion in our society. These bills write discrimination into our school systems and does nothing to improve quality of schools.

02-23-2023

Berleen Wobeter []

As a former classroom educator I can not image the senseless confusion this would cause. I had new students every 5 weeks. Students can be very sensitive about their names so I tried hard to learn names as quickly as possible. Have you even given any thought to students from different cultures who use names differently. I might have no idea when I was following the wording in this bill for students from different cultures. I would likely only have a clue with American English speaking students which would set up a situation ripe for discrimination while other students laugh. This is just silly and unrealistic

02-23-2023

Harmony Littell []

Reject this bill! Not only is it incredibly harmful to the self expression and identity of these students. It others those students and takes their personhood. It blows the doors WIDE open for rampant bully and harassment as well. Say no to HF 367

02-23-2023

Nicole Gary []

I support this bill. As an individual who believes strongly in my faith, and as a 25 year mental & behavioral healthcare worker, I feel strongly that our legislature should not encourage this cultural sickness known as "gender dysphoria."My 14 yearold son attends public school with a student who self identifies as a dog, not a human, and he prefers to be addressed as "Bark Bark." I don't see how legislating into law, forced compliance for teachers or peers to feed into this child's delusions or extreme cries for attention, is healthy for anybody involved. I am including a link for your consideration on this morally delicate matter, and I pray it provides each of you peaceful sense of clarity as you cast your vote.https://www.gotquestions.org/transgenderpronouns.html

02-23-2023

Amy Nugent [Iowa City Community School District]

As a teacher, I ask my students to show respect to one another. This goes two ways and includes using preferred pronouns. If a parent wants to control their own child's rights, that is their prerogative. However, dictating others rights is downright disrespectful.

02-23-2023

Debra Jensen []

I urge you to vote against this bill. Its not difficult to address a child according to the gender they identify with. The right to be identified by the personal pronoun a child identifies with is the right of that individual and only that individual.

02-23-2023

Mike Keller-Wilson []

Please reject this bill. As so many have already stated, students deserve to be respected and included at school, whether that means using their nickname or correct pronouns. Encouraging people to do the opposite, as this bill would do, means that more students will be disconnected from schools and put in more dangerous and difficult circumstances.

02-23-2023

Courtney Collier []

Its shocking that we have to have legislation to protect what should be common sense. I support this bill. Please pass it and lets get back to common sense in Iowa.Everything woke goes broke. Save Iowa from woke.

02-23-2023

Jennifer Allen []

HF 367 creates a loophole for bullying. People should be treated with respect, and that includes addressing them as they would like to be addressed. This is yet another mean spirited bill proposing a solution for a non existent problem. It's only purpose is to harm an already marginalized group. Reject this terrible bill.

02-23-2023

A Fischer []

This was shared by a group of gay men and women via their website:Giving kids the option to choose among 97 genders, 18 pronouns, and 19 sexual orientations is definitely neither age appropriate nor developmentally appropriate. A BBC sex education program from 2021 tells children as young as nine that there are over 100 genders and that being transgender is a way to be happy.As a parent to 2 school aged kids, I agree with the statement above. My daughter, who is in the 8th grade, asked me the other day why someone is a they/them. Does that mean more than one person? Im so confused!Teachers should not neither encourage, engage, or be made to remember any of the possible 18 pronouns. The childs name should be sufficient.

02-23-2023

Madison Atwood []

As an educator and a mom, I am appalled at the lack of kindness and compassion this type of bill is supporting. Educators can and should always put the needs of the student first and allowing educators to misuse students names and/or pronouns creates a school environment that is unsafe for students who are trans, who are some of our most vulnerable in terms of mental health risks. Please vote NO and advocate for all students in our system.

02-23-2023

Lindsey Frampton []

On top of everything we expect of our teachers, now we expect them to remember pronouns or be subject discipline? Many of which are completely made up words? This is absurd. Gender dysphoria occurs in LESS THAN 1% of people born in America (Medscape.com; May 2022). This is NOT gender dysphoria, it is a social contagion, and we are failing these kids by encouraging and entertaining this. This does not help anyone. It just adds one more thing to the growing list of jobs we ask of our teachers

02-23-2023

Heidi W []

I support this bill. It's sad that common sense needs to be legislated. It can be harmful for everyone to participate in someone's delusion about their gender "identity".We have got to stop lying to children. Why is it that someone with 3 different "personalities" is considered a mental condition but someone who wants to be the opposite gender not? In my opinion, it is the same thing. We cannot continue to "affirm" mental disorders. I thank the good Lord everyday that I had parents that realized I was just a tomboy because as an adult I love being a woman. In many cases what children "Identify" as can change from week to week depending on who they are following book they read the day before. Forcing someone to participate in the illness of this subculture is a violation of their religious and individual rights and liberties.

02-23-2023

Jennifer Briggs []

I AM IN STRONG SUPPORT of this bill. I have a hard time believing opposition to this bill would have anything to do with the actual merits of the bill as much as it does rejecting the opposing parties ideas. That, or one just does not truly understand the harm that comes from consumption of these products in a developing child. The health and wellness of our children while away from home 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, 9 months out of the year is of utmost importance to not be contributing to epidemic health concerns affecting the population due to consuming such products. While in the care of our publicly funded institutions they should be fed foods free of proven harm. No brainer

02-23-2023

Jennifer Briggs []

Disregard my previous comments that were for the margarine Bill I have placed them under the proper bill as for this bill HF 367 I am in STRONG SUPPORT. Disciplinary action should never be taken upon someone who is does not willingly or by accident, participate in another persons ideological demands for affirmation. I am not allowed to force my boss to call me madam President Or Josh one day and then Jennifer the next based upon however I feel and then have the right to pursue punishments upon him for not adhering to my ideological choices of what I believe to be affirmation of my choices. This is ludicrous this bill is necessary to protect people from punishments they do not deserve when they are unable to properly affirm everyones ideologies. Again, shouldnt need a bill like this but here we are. People can try their best to be kind and accommodating but by no means should we be in a position where punishments can be handed out for not properly accommodating an ever changing thought process of other persons.

02-23-2023

Rebecca Dirks []

Are we seriously debating making sure teachers have the right to selectively decide which students' preferences to respect? Vote no on this bill. It exclusively harms trans kids, while Elizabeths will continue to be able to ask to be called Liz, Jonathans will continue to be called Johnny, and only the children who are at the greatest risk of suicide and mental health issues will be subjected to teachers brazenly disregarding their wishes. Teachers who somehow can't manage to figure out how to use a preferred name and pronoun ONLY for the trans kid in class should find another profession, not be granted immunity from consequence.

02-23-2023

Ann Border []

For one thing, GOD created human "male" and "female". Proverbs 22:6TRAIN up a CHILD in the WAY HE SHOULD GO; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Deuteronmy 6: 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.7 You shall TEACH them DILIGENTLY to YOUR CHILDREN, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. I am an immigrant. For the nation who have 7585% that claims to be Christ believers but opposing this bill, it's unbelievable! Don't you want to train your children the way they should go? Lead them not into temptation...Not into confusion but common sense. Support the Bill HF367.

02-23-2023

Sarah Chang []

As a person of strong faith, I oppose HF 367. Everyone deserves to be respected and feel safe at school, and this bill would create a loophole for bullying. If nicknames were a problem worthy of legislation, it would have been undertaken centuries ago, so it is blatantly obvious that this is a dogwhistle to bigots who want to target alreadymarginalized and vulnerable groups. You are better than this. Iowa is better than this. Reject HF 367.

02-23-2023

Betsy Fickel []

I support this bill. These are young minds emotionally manipulated very easily. It is kept fairly quiet the regrets and suicides that happen later when they discover that it doesn't fix the mental issues. We know that the jr. and high school ages are extremely impressionable and many choose to go with whatever the current fad might be. Those kids have not been taught to think for themselves, to be confident in themselves, but to go along to get along so another is not offended. They thereby loose themselves and become the image of someone else's ideology of who they should be. The go along to get along is extremely prevelant in society in general as we see people suing for nothing more than hurt feelings.

02-23-2023

Vicki Aden []

Please vote no on this bill. It seems to basically legalize bullying of primarily LGBTQ students to proceed without any ability to intercede with disciplinary measures. Is this really what Iowa has become? It is not hard to respect people and use the names and pronouns they prefer. No one is being fired or kicked out of school for making an unintentional mistake. Do not promote intentional bullying of vulnerable students.

02-23-2023

Kenneth Hanson []

Please oppose this bill. Using someone preferred name and pronouns is not a problem. It is simply a matter of respect. My name is Kenneth, but I go by Ken and all my teachers had no trouble with this. Likewise my friend Elizabeth has always gone by Betty. Using pronouns is no different and can actually lead to a reduction in suicidal thoughts among LGBT kids. So, using preffered pronouns is actually prolife.

02-23-2023

Barbara and Jim Dale []

We encourage the Legislature in all its endeavors, and specifically in considerations about educating our young people, to "first do no harm."School personnel should have training in and be expected to follow, standards of personal interaction with students that allow the children to develop as the individuals God created them to be. When their particular personal characteristics seem unusual to anyone, that should not translate to a judgment that they are unacceptable, especially if they are doing no harm. When the students express their own needs and desires regarding interactions, their wishes should be considered and respected. In cases of students fearing their parents, especial care by personnel with mental health training should be available.For the Legislature to outlaw such sensitivity and respect would create a legacy of cruelty and injury.

02-23-2023

Jennifer Gardner []

I oppose this bill. This bill will lead to bullying and suicide. It's not difficult to honor someone's choice of name/pronouns. I have a common name. I am often called many other names: Jen, Jenny, JJ, etc. Please work on issues that are important in our state like childcare, a living wage, full funding for our public schools, and worker shortages to name a few.

02-23-2023

Alisa Meggitt [Teacher. Representing self.]

Policies like these are crushing the teaching profession. I am a Second career teacher with 21 years in the field. Teaching has always been a challenging profession and doesnt meet any characteristics of a profession. We lack autonomy, professional development, professional salary, and respect. That was before the Iowa legislature began attacking teachers. Right now teaching conditions are untenable. Not only are we held to granular levels of scrutiny, but we also have to contend with legislative content, and administrative patriarchy and impunity.Iowa has an incredible legacy of being the top performing education State.Policies like these are not only destroying the teaching profession, but undermining education in Iowa. This legacy is already destroyed by the Iowa legislature and destructive administrators. Stop while youre behind. We will never see the caliber of education that we once had.