Give Every Kid a Real Shot

Protecting Public Education

I’ve spent a lot of time around schools.

Not just as a parent, but as a pastor, sitting with families and listening to what they’re carrying. I’ve talked with parents who are worried about their kids falling behind. I’ve listened to teachers who are exhausted but still showing up every day because they care.

And I’ve seen something clearly:

Public schools are holding a lot more than just lesson plans.

They’re holding the future of our communities.

I’m running for Congress because every child deserves a real shot. And right now, that depends too much on where you live, what your parents earn, or what resources your school happens to have.

That’s not right.

We have great teachers in Arkansas. People who go above and beyond every day. But too often, they’re doing it without the support they need.

They’re buying supplies out of their own pockets.They’re managing overcrowded classrooms.They’re carrying the weight of students who are dealing with stress, hunger, and instability outside of school.

And still, they show up.

That tells you something about them.

It also tells you something about the system.

Because when schools are underfunded, kids feel it first.

Fewer resources. Less support. Fewer opportunities.

And over time, that gap grows.

Some students get every advantage. Others are just trying to keep up.

That’s not about effort. That’s about access.

And we’re making it worse.

Instead of strengthening public schools, too many leaders are trying to pull resources away from them. They talk about “choice,” but what it often means is taking money out of public schools and sending it somewhere else.

That leaves the majority of students with less.

Less funding. Less support. Fewer options.

That’s not expanding opportunity.

It’s shifting it.

Here’s what we should be doing instead:

• Fully funding public schools so every student has what they need to succeed

• Supporting teachers with better pay, better resources, and real respect

• Making sure no child’s future is limited by their zip code

Because this isn’t just about education.

It’s about what kind of future we’re building.

When schools are strong, communities are strong. Kids are more prepared. Families are more stable. Opportunity is real.

When they’re not, everything else gets harder.

As a pastor, I’ve seen how much people want the best for their kids. That’s not political. That’s human.

The question is whether our system reflects that.

Right now, it doesn’t always.

But it can.

We can choose to invest in the schools that serve all of our kids. We can choose to support the teachers who are doing the work every day. We can choose to make sure every child, no matter where they start, has a real chance to succeed.

Because a child’s future shouldn’t be decided by their zip code.

It should be shaped by the opportunities we’re willing to provide.

And that’s on us.