To the editor:

I have had the privilege of working as a substitute teacher for Fort Dodge Community Schools since September of 2024. I have been in every building, some more than others. There are some pretty amazing things going on in each building.

On Jan. 11, 2025, Middle School Assistant Principal Aaron Miller died from injuries sustained in a car accident. I was already scheduled to substitute teach at the middle school the Monday following his accident. I had no idea what to expect.

Walking into the middle school that morning, I felt the impact Assistant Principal Aaron Miller made on students and staff. Throughout the day, I saw and felt a district come together to support each other. Perfectly imperfect people who didn’t have 100 percent to give still managed to give 100 percent of what they had.

Working through their grief, staff were also helping students and coworkers work through theirs. Staff members were collaborating to try to help struggling students. Students were reaching out to each other and to staff members. There were administrators from every building present at some time during the day. They were there supporting students and each other. I have never experienced anything like it before.

Society chronically blames public schools for numerous societal problems while continuously underfunding them. I would like to challenge some perspectives regarding public schools.

Public schools are underfunded. As a result of that underfunding, they are understaffed and have minimal resources and little to no outside support. Look what is accomplished despite those struggles. Think of what could be accomplished if they were fully funded with continuous local and state support year-round. Public schools are not failing students; our society is failing students and public schools.

If anyone can teach, why do we have a nationwide teacher shortage? Teachers supposedly only worked Monday – Friday from 8: a.m.to 4 p.m. with holidays and summers off. That’s a pretty good gig if that were accurate. I have yet to find any teacher who works only those hours. Most teachers are also funding shortfalls in their classrooms with personal funds. Their job time goes far beyond their time in the classroom.

It appears that the only time our society supports public schools is after a tragedy. While they need support then; that support is needed 365 days a year. With every act of school violence that makes the news, countless acts were prevented because of the efforts of school staff. They are struggling and need our support!

Assistant Principal Aaron Miller’s death was felt so much because of his passion for education and youth in the days, months, years, and decades before his death. His death wouldn’t have impacted so many if he wasn’t a passionate educator.

I have been in 10 different public school districts in Iowa looking for strengths and struggles. Districts are full of perfectly imperfect people with a passion for youth and education. They have personal lives and struggles of their own. No one has 100 percent to give all the time, but they give 100 percent of what they have. They need year-round support.

Our youth are literally our future. When youth succeed, everyone succeeds! What kind of future do you want?

Ralph Waldo Emerson said ‘Your actions speak so loudly, I cannot hear what you are saying.’

Our news is filled with examples of adults acting badly. From childcare to our public schools, we further show youth that they are not a priority.

The Fort Dodge Community School District’s actions are speaking loudly. What they are teaching is much more than academics. They are teaching youth how adults can come together and support each other while working through their grief.

What are your actions saying?

Heather Casey

Fort Dodge