Educators highlighted at Inauguration events

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) — Not only was it a big day for Governor Andy Beshear, it was a big day for educators from all across the state as they were at the forefront of most of Tuesday’s inaugural events.

The new governor and lieutenant governor have continued to emphasize teachers.
Teachers helped elect the new administration and they were certainly out at the public inauguration events to celebrate.

“It’s an exciting day for educators from all across the state of Kentucky,” says Kentucky Education Association’s president Eddie Campbell.

Traditionally, the first person you see in the inauguration parade is the governor. This year, that wasn’t the case. More than 200 teachers were grand marshals.

“Educators were at the front and center just showing how much this governor is going to support and invest in public education in the state of Kentucky,” says Campbell.

The parade wasn’t the only teacher led event. Educators emceed the swearing-in ceremony on the Capitol’s front steps.

“We have educators that will be on both sides of the stage even sitting on the stage with the governor,” says Campbell.

Dozens of teachers were decked out in red, cheering on the new governor but the last time this many teachers were at the State Capitol told a much different story.

“It’s a breath of fresh air. Last time we had 14,000 educators who were here standing up for their students, standing up for their profession and today, they’re all here smiling, dressed in their red and it’s a happy occasion,” says Campbell.

Much different than earlier this year when teachers packed the capitol fighting for public education and their pensions. The protests made national headlines as teachers held sick outs, shutting down districts across the state including its biggest, Lexington and Louisville.

“At that time we were really upset. We didn’t feel like we were being heard. Things do need to happen with the pensions but I think it’s gonna be done with a governor that understands that,” says Asst. Principal in Mercer County, Brian Pendygraft.

But Tuesday was a happy occasion. Teachers we spoke with felt empowered being there. They say they feel the next four years are full of so much promise not only for public education, but also for all Kentuckians.

“I feel like now we have a governor that’s kinda stepped back in and given us that voice that public education does matter. We feel really good about where we’re going now,” says Pendygraft.

Educators at the Inuaguration events say they’re excited and ready for new governor to get to work.