February 7, 2023
By Jeanne Allen, Founder and CEO of CER

UNITED STATES – JANUARY 31: The audience in the House gallery applauds President George W. Bush’s State of the Union address. (Photo By Tom Williams/Roll Call/Getty Images) CQ-ROLL CALL, INC VIA GETTY IMAGESThe members of the Yass Prize community are coming to town this week to meet with members of Congress and many of their governors, and it got me thinking, “Wouldn’t it be amazing if the President recognized the nation’s best education innovators tonight?”

It is tradition for the President to recognize special guests to the State of the Union to sit in the First Lady’s Box in the House Gallery. In 1985, President Reagan recognized ‘Mother’ Clara Hale, of Harlem, NY who was also on his American Commission on Drug-Free Schools as an American Hero. Bill Clinton in 1997 welcomed students who tied for first in the world in science and came in second in math in the Third International Math and Science Study, and in 1998 recognized civil rights activist Rosa Parks. Ty’Sheoma Bethea, a schoolgirl from Dillon, South Carolina who wrote a letter to members of Congress asking for help to revitalize her school, joined President Obama in 2009.

In saluting today’s innovators, President Biden could say:

“While I’m on the subject of the critical importance of American ingenuity in creating and preserving the most free and prosperous nation on earth (that would be good, right??), I want to recognize some incredible education entrepreneurs who are putting that very principle into practice every day.

“First there’s Cory Steiner who is setting North Dakota on fire revolutionizing what rural education can be in these special communities that represent America’s first.

“Then there’s Cris Gulacy-Worrel whose colleagues at Oakmont Education have never seen an at-risk kid they couldn’t turn around, and provide them an incredible education and career opportunities thanks to the freedom they have under that state’s charter school law.

“What about Steve Perry, who doesn’t take no for an answer when it comes to educating students in the most disadvantaged urban areas in the country. Those teachers unions we usually love so much just hate to see Dr Perry succeed. But I digress….
“Wade Moore’s heritage, like most African-Americans, were enslaved people but that’s not an excuse for Wade and the students he serves to do less than their best. On the contrary, he sees it as precisely why they must always succeed, with hard work, independence, responsibility and commitment to moral values.

“Last but not least, I want to give a shout out to Diana Diaz-Harrison, a Latino and mother of an autistic son who was tired of the status quo. She’s sitting with Jill tonight because we recognize that when you have children that the system can’t serve, you just need the power to do something about it. Talk about Parent Power! Diana started her own charter school for students like her Sammy, and soon every major city in America will have one! How’s that for ensuring our union remains strong?

“So whether you know about them, or the Black Mothers Forum, or Coded by Kids, or Rapunzl, or Uncommon Construction and Build Up, or Discovery Science Center or Louisiana Key Academy – well there’s no question they are the ones who should be in this room tonight, and since they are not, I urge every member of Congress tonight to find the innovator in their community, work to release – not tie – their hands from doing good, tell those union people and school boards associations to move out of the way and watch every parent in America not only carve a new path to the future for their children but for themselves. Because we all know, we’re only as happy – and successful – as our most happy and successful children.

“Good night and God Bless you.”
Follow Jeanne on Twitter or LinkedIn or some of her other work here. 

Founded in 1993, the Center for Education Reform aims to expand educational opportunities that lead to improved economic outcomes for all Americans — particularly our youth — ensuring that conditions are ripe for innovation, freedom and flexibility throughout U.S. education.