Betsy DeVos,

As a person who will likely oversee American schools, your words matter. In fall 2016, about 50.4 million students were enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools, and these students are depending on you. Clearly you are getting hammered by public opinion and the press. You said some unbelievable things that made it appear as if you do not understand the basics of the public educational landscape in America.

I believe you can and will do better to ease the minds of countless parents and educators alike, as well as improve public education. Your role demands it. As the wise Dali Lama said, If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.

Im not here to slam or ridicule you, that doesnt help either of us, and most importantly it doesnt help any one of those 50+ million children who may be in your hands. I truly want to help them, and I want to help you. I want to educate you on what our public education looks like on a grass roots level, in ways you simply can not learn from policy, senators or a book.

There are few things more important in a childs life than education. Their socioeconomic background, their home environment, their ethnicity, how and by whom they are being raised, the love they are given, their health, their athletic ability unfortunately none of these things are guaranteed or distributed evenly.

An opportunity to learn is one of the few things guaranteed to all children, regardless of circumstance.

Yours will be one of the most important jobs in the world. I know you had a privileged upbringing, complete with private education, and you have no background in public schools. You didnt chose your background either, and I dont think that should be held against you. However, now you are now afforded the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of millions of children, therefore you must understand what public education looks like and feels like in our great nation.

Im the proud Mom of two little boys, Greyson (7) and Parker (5). Im passionate about education. We live in the 4th largest district in California, Fresno Unified, which is responsible for educating almost 75,000 students. Both of my boys have autism. Being a mom to neurally atypical children infuses additional challenges and requirements from public education, and it my pleasure to advocate on behalf of my boys.