by Mymoena Davids, 8th Grader, Equality Charter School

On January 4, 2012, Governor Andrew Cuomo gave his annual State of the State address. In his address, Governor Cuomo said:

“I learned that everyone in public education has his or her own lobbyist. Superintendents have lobbyists. Principals have lobbyists. Teachers have lobbyists. School boards have lobbyists. Maintenance personnel have lobbyists. Bus drivers have lobbyists. The only group without a lobbyist? The students. Well, I learned my lesson. This year, I will take a second job — consider me the lobbyist for the students. I will wage a campaign to put students first, and to remind us that the purpose of public education is to help children grow, not to grow the public education bureaucracy.”

My mom and other parents in New York City and throughout New York State were outraged. I was offended and pissed off. You see, I’ve been on lobbying trips to Albany with my mom (OMG Albany is super far) fighting for parent and student rights in charter schools. I’ve been to countless public hearings and parent meetings with my mom where she and other parents work hard to ensure all children receive a quality education. I’ve also gone to bed without saying good night to my mom because she was at a PEP meeting, parents meeting or her monthly NY Charter Parents Association or NYC Parents Union meetings in Brooklyn (we live in the Bronx!).

My mom, Ms. Donlan, Ms. Hodge, Ms. Haimson, Ms. Ansari, Ms. Yarofulani, Ms. Timoney and countless other mothers work hard advocating for all children’s education. It’s unfortunate that the things they are asking for including appropriate funding for our public schools, lowering class sizes, reducing standardized testing, increasing arts and music classes (I play the piano and guitar but my mom has to pay for a private tutor because we don’t have music), are all being denied by Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Cuomo.

I wish my mom could send me to a private school like the ones Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Cuomo send their children. Then I would have everything my mom fights for in public schools and more.

I want Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Cuomo to know my mother is my lobbyist. My mother and other parents speak for their children, not you. Stop playing politics with our education, fund our schools and stop attacking our teachers.