'Teaching is an act of hope': Dr. Jill Underly delivers 2023 State of Education Address

 

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) --- State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jill Underly delivered the 2023 State of Education Address at the Capitol on Thursday, Sept. 21. 

She talked about K-12 education in Wisconsin including challenges and opportunities ahead for families and educators.

"At this moment in the state of education in Wisconsin we're standing on a mountaintop. Dare I say a precipice because we are facing challenges. We are facing uncertainty and more than a little mess, but the mess is where the hope lives," she said.

Dr. Jill Underly said that acknowledging the challenges Wisconsin faces in education is the only way to bring about change.

Underly says the department of public instruction continues working to improve education for all students. Part of that includes listening to feedback from students themselves.

"It matters what decisions we make, and our children want safety. They want to see leaders address discrimination. They want us to incorporate innovative teaching practices and technology and they really want adults to stop banning books," said Underly.

Supporting public schools and educators and improving the quality of reading instruction in Wisconsin are among focuses being highlighted at the state level.

"Every day our educators and our learners choose hope despite the challenges, the educator shortages, the financial crunches, the crumbling infrastructure ...we can choose hope," she said.

For full excerpts of Dr. Underly's speech click here.