One of the focal points of the Iowa Legislature will be what makes its way through the state Senate and House education committees in the next few months.

District 79 Representative Dustin Hite–who chairs the House Education Committee, says with hot topics such as what is being taught in classrooms, to the books available in school libraries, to potential public funding for private school scholarships, to the ongoing staff and teacher shortage, and how the pandemic is still impacting classrooms, a lot of the debate over several weeks will focus on schools.

While all of that work is starting in subcommittees and committees, the start of the session featured comments from Senate President Jake Chapman, who said there is a “sinister agenda occurring right before our eyes,” coming from teachers and the media. Hite disagreed with that notion, stating the vast majority of educators are doing all they can to guide the next generation of Iowans, and Hite recognized the difficult hurdle those teachers have to clear.

“I disagree with [Chapman’s comments], I know a lot of teachers, including friends, family, colleagues, neighbors, and teachers of my own kids, and I don’t agree with that — I think those are hardworking people doing the best that they can.”

“I think the majority of teachers are doing a great job and are not sinister, and I think Republicans know that and have shown that.”

Hear more from Hite about the 2022 Legislative Session on Monday’s Let’s Talk Pella.