NEA Associate President Gives Address In Front Of Philly Delegation
Buckle up, because today we’ve got a story that’s making waves in the world of education and social media. NEA President Becky Pringle’s fiery speech at the NEA’s Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly (RA) in Philadelphia has sparked quite a reaction, with critics comparing it to a comedy skit from “The Office.” Let’s dive into the details and see what all the fuss is about.
First, let’s set the scene. Becky Pringle, President of the National Education Association (NEA), delivered a passionate speech calling for transformative social justice changes in the education system. She emphasized the need to unite and reclaim public education as a foundation of democracy, aiming to turn it into a racially and socially just and equitable system. Pringle’s call to action included dramatic gestures, banging on the podium, and repeatedly screaming about winning “all the things.”
Pringle’s speech was intense, to say the least. “We worked hard to rid ourselves of a tyrannical, deceitful, and corrupt White House, but the reality is that the seeds that were sown during that horrible season continue to germinate,” she said. Her rallying cry was clear: “Our students are depending on us to win all the things. All the things! All the things! All the things.”
This impassioned performance drew immediate comparisons to a famous scene from the TV show “The Office,” where Dwight Schrute delivers an over-the-top, Mussolini-inspired speech. Critics like school choice advocate Corey DeAngelis called Pringle’s address “off-the-rails” and likened her to Dwight Schrute.
DeAngelis didn’t hold back, saying, “These power-hungry control freaks think they own your kids. They’re in a cult that worships government and detests parents. It’s time to defund teachers’ unions and allow the money to follow the child.”
The creators of Dwight’s speech scene drew from real speeches by Benito Mussolini, with lines like, “Blood alone moves the wheels of history!” Dwight’s exaggerated delivery and grandiose mannerisms were intended as satire, but Pringle’s critics saw unsettling parallels in her earnest call for action.
Adding to the chorus of criticism, Jason Bedrick, a research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, said Pringle’s speech was essentially an advertisement for school choice. He argued that despite her passionate delivery, the public’s trust in public schools is at an all-time low.
“Even Pringle’s over-the-top, Dwight Schrute-like theatrics can’t distract from her union’s role in the dismal state of education in this country,” Bedrick commented, pointing to issues like prolonged school closures during COVID and lack of accountability for underperforming teachers.
Political consultant Matt Dole humorously suggested that Dwight Schrute might have been Pringle’s “speech coach.” This isn’t the first time such comparisons have been made. Last year, Jack Crowe from the National Review described Pringle’s RA speech as similarly unhinged, arguing that she saw herself as a revolutionary but was out of touch with the real issues plaguing education.