United States Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos was back in town for a tour of Grand Rapids Community College, as simultaneously demonstrators outside protested her education policy. The Secretary is on a nationwide tour of colleges that provide students alternative ways to enter the workforce other than earning a four year degree.
“There are so many pathways to a higher education, and Grand Rapids Community College really embodies the best of these opportunities for students,” DeVos said.
While Secretary DeVos said she was happy to be back in West Michigan, it wasn’t necessarily a hero’s welcome. Outside of the college a number of protesters claiming DeVos is a threat to the public school system lined the streets as cars honked in support as they drove by.
“Public education is the cornerstone of building a democracy. And the Secretary wants to nothing more than destroy what public education is all about,” Jeff Larson, a public school teacher said.
DeVos said she wasn’t bothered by the protest.
“I know and understand that what I’m doing represents change for many people, and change is difficult,” she said. “But I hope that they will just look at what we do and focus on the fact that we are really concentrating on doing what’s right on behalf of students.”
