The National Education Association's (NEA) President, Becky Pringle, has been the subject of ridicule following a recent speech that critics have likened to a comedic sketch from the popular American television series, "The Office."
Pringle's impassioned address, delivered at the NEA's Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly in Philadelphia, was marked by fervent hand gestures, pounding on the podium, and repeated exclamations about winning "all the things."
Pringle's speech, which was punctuated by high-pitched tones, called for a transformative shift towards social justice in the education system. "To unite not just our members, but the nation to reclaim public education as a common good, as the foundation of our democracy, and then transform it into something it was never designed to bea racially and socially just and equitable system," Pringle declared. She continued, "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."
Pringle emphasized the crucial role of educators in shaping the nation's future, stating, "We are the ones who help shape the heart of this nation's hope and dreams. We are the ones who hold steadfast to the belief in the plausibility of the possible. We are the heirs of all who did this work before us. We must keep going. NEA Delegates, we can do this work. We must do this work."
As reported by Fox News, critics have likened Pringle's speech to a scene from "The Office," where character Dwight Schrute delivers an over-the-top performance inspired by speeches from Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. School choice advocate Corey DeAngelis was among those who criticized Pringle's speech, describing it as "off-the-rails." He told Fox News Digital, "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. Becky Pringle pulled a Dwight Schrute. She is off-the-rails and desperate to maintain control over the minds of other peoples children."
Jason Bedrick, a research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, echoed these sentiments, stating that Pringle's "overwrought, hyper-partisan tirade amounted to an advertisement for school choice." He added, "During her speech, Pringle claimed the NEA would 'continue to embrace the profound trust that has been placed in' them. Apparently, she hasn't seen the polls showing record-low public trust in public schools. 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, from keeping schools closed for far too long during COVID, to shielding bad teachers from accountability--all at the expense of students' learning."
Political consultant Matt Dole humorously suggested that the fictional character Schrute may have been Pringle's "speech coach." This is not the first time such a comparison has been made. Last year, the National Review's Jack Crowe commented on Pringle's RA speech, stating, "Pringle believes shes a revolutionary; that is the only conclusion to be drawn from the truly unhinged speech she delivered."
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