(Editor’s note: Due to space constraints, the Patriot will publish up to 5-6 LTEs a week as space allows and carry over unpublished letters to the next week, if able. Also, we no longer have a policy which restricts letter writers from submitting political editorials a week prior to an election.)
TO THE EDITOR:
It’s hard to keep track of education issues. Proposed changes to social studies and math standards were described in earlier Patriot articles. Now an even more important new area of concern demands our attention. The Professional Educator Licensing & Standards Board (“PELSB”) is the government committee that sets the standards for teacher licensure, in other words, what the teachers teaching the teachers must teach. Revision of the standards started in 2019 and the PELSB has received public comments on four drafts (available at https://mn.gov/pelsb/board/rulemaking/licensing-academic-standards/ under the “About this project” tab).
A new eighth standard, Racial Consciousness and Reflection focuses on how race, ethnicity, intersectionality, prejudice, discrimination, bias, racism, “ethnocentrism, eurocentrism, deficit-based teaching, and white supremacy undermine pedagogical equity.” Students will now become social justice warriors as “the teacher creates opportunities for students to learn about power, privilege, intersectionality, systemic oppression in the context of various communities and empowers learners to be agents of social change to promote equity.”
A virtual hearing is scheduled before an administrative law judge on August 24, 2022, at 9 am. Your voice is needed on this last opportunity to comment on the standards and can be accessed at: https://tinyurl.com/4615hearing or https://minnesota.webex.com, Enter Meeting number: 2487 718 8093, Password: PELSB.
Betsy Armstrong
Becker, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
I was pleased to read letters by Kenzie Phelps and Bret Colier in the Aug. 13 issues of the Patriot. I totally agree and have to add that Republicans who are still supporting the “big Laie” are responsible for the violence and loss of life that is occurring. People who are elected take an oath and the accusatory and untruths they spread on Fox and other venues do great damage. Trump lost the election and that was proven many ways. Our country will be better off when he fades into his much needed retirement. There are laws and no one should have a free pass. It was evident he was not taking his oath seriously and was and is a danger to our country. We as a country need to support and honor President Biden as he has done a great job considering the mess he was handed. Republicans have not tried to work together in the last two years to solve the problems we are experiencing. I, as plenty of area residents would like to hear both sides of the story from the Patriot. I also read the StarTribune and they seem to print both past and current events as they actually happen (the truth).
Rosalyn Koning,
Becker, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
I am a new resident of Big Lake. I have been voting for 51 years in three states. My voting experience has been mostly by mail in ballots.This was my first in person voting since 1991. To be honest this experience was incredibly lacking security to ensure who was voting was who they said there were. I handed the card I received with my precinct information. That was it! No one even asked for state ID. What a joke, I’m going back to mail in ballots where they at least check my signature against my document to vote by mail.
Shawn Thelen
Big Lake, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
Mr. Emmer, why did you vote for gay marriage? On July 20th of this year, the U.S. House passed what was branded as the “Respect for Marriage Act”, (H.R. 8404), mainly upon party lines except for 47 Republicans that voted with the Democrats. This bill provides for the statutory authority for same-sex marriages, removing the Federal provision that defined marriage as something that can only occur between a man and a women. Emmer was one of the 47 Republicans that crossed party lines and voted to remove this provision, thereby allowing for the Federal recognition of same sex marriage. At my Republican Basis Political Organizational Unit (BPOU) meeting that same day, I and others asked. Emmer’s representative why he had voted the way that he did, in support of same sex marriage, which is in conflict with the majority of Republican views? Not receiving a satisfactory answer, Emmer’s representative was asked to have Emmer release a written statement explaining the reasoning behind his vote. To date, no known statement has been released, verified following a review of his website. Therefore I am using this forum to publically request that Emmer explain why he voted to allow for marriage to be something other than only being between a man and a woman.
Bret R. Collier
Big Lake, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
The Professional Educator Licensing & Standards Board (PELSB) sets the standards for teacher licensure, that is, what the teachers teaching teachers must teach. Revision of MN’s standards started in 2019, and the PELSB has received public comments on four drafts available at the MDE website. A virtual hearing is scheduled before an administrative law judge on August 24, 2022, at 9 a.m. Access the hearing at: https://tinyurl.com/4615hearing or https://minnesota.webex.com, Enter Meeting number: 2487 718 8093, Password: PELSB. Last chance to speak to the judge and stop this ideology. The addition of the eighth standard allows the PELSB to incorporate Critical Race Theory. What used to be an academic exercise in postsecondary educational institutions has now filtered down to K-12 schools. PELSB rationalizes that the inclusion of CRT is necessary since “Minnesota’s challenges in growing a racially diverse teaching workforce, stakeholders have identified the lack of anti-racist and equity language and concepts required to be addressed through teacher preparation and as a component of licensure as one barrier. Just as importantly, the predominantly white teacher workforce must be equipped to understand their own implicit bias and the unique lived experiences of all their students as a core requirement of teaching.” Why are schools struggling to find good teachers?
Dr. Phyllis E. VanBuren
Clearwater, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
A big shout out the Becker Sons of the American Legion for their fundraiser for Fisher House last weekend (8/13). With the sponsorships from Country Lumber, Charlie’s, Bill’s Superette and Sherburne State Bank and the support of the small crowd, more than $2000 will be sent to the Minneapolis Fisher House near the Minneapolis VA Medical Center to provide temporary housing to families when their loved one veteran is receiving care. Thanks also to the Becker Lions, Grace Lutheran and the SAL for providing the food and drink concessions along with the Boy Scout troop volunteers and other sponsors and supporters that I may have missed by name. We look forward to another event next year!
Mark Swanson
Post Commander, Becker Legion
