Rep. Angie Craig Announces Apple Valley Special Education Teacher as Her State of the Union Guest

WASHINGTON DC – Today, Representative Angie Craig announced that Heather Mathews, a special education teacher and advocate, will join her in Washington as her guest for President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address tonight.

“As the mom of two sons who benefited from the work of special education teachers and paraprofessionals, I know the dedication of those who choose this profession. Right now, many of these programs are being forced to operate without the funding they were promised,” said Rep. Craig. “I’m honored that Heather will be joining me for tonight's address to bring attention to the critical funding gap for our students. I know we’ll both be listening closely to what the President has to say about his plan to ensure the federal government is investing in our special education programs in the way that our students, educators and families deserve.”

“I’m so grateful Rep. Angie Craig understands the struggle of educating students without enough resources. Special education teachers have been frustrated and overworked,” Mathews said. “More than any other time in my years of teaching, we are seeing a crisis in our profession. Our job is not sustainable without the adequate funding we, and our students, deserve. It would mean the world to all special education teachers to be supported to care for each of our students’ individual needs. Students would achieve more and they would be set up to succeed in their adult life. Students and educators deserve a government that will invest in them, so all of us can thrive.”

Mathews has been a Special Education Resource Teacher for over 20 years at Southview Elementary School in Apple Valley, Minnesota. Outside of the classroom, she is a dedicated advocate for special education funding, issues, students and educators – having served as a member of the Dakota County United Executive Board and as their Legislative Action Committee Chair.

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