East Central Reporter

State Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) wants teachers everywhere to feel the appreciation he thinks they deserve.

“Not just today, but every day,” Niemerg told retired teachers in Wayne County while speaking with them on World Teacher’s Day. The father of two added “we need to be thankful for all of the great teachers who dedicate their lives to the education of our children.”

For nearly the last two decades, Oct. 5 has become the date set aside to celebrate all teachers everywhere.

Niemerg said their job is often a never-ending one.

“Many of our retired teachers actually use their experience to serve as some of our best substitute teachers when our schools need them,” he said. “I say 'thank you' to all of our teachers in Wayne County and around the state.”

Niemerg also recently called on Gov. J.B. Pritzker to come to the defense of teachers across the state by vetoing a bill that that would require schools to teach sex education to students as early as at the kindergarten level.

Senate Bill 818 stipulates that a school district “provide comprehensive personal health and safety education in kindergarten through the 5th grade and comprehensive sexual health education in the 6th through 12th grades in all public schools.”

From the very start, Niemerg has stood in opposition.

“The more I looked into it, the more I researched it, quite frankly the angrier I became because I have a 2-year-old little girl who is getting ready to turn 3 in June and I have a 6-year-old son who just finished up kindergarten and they are my world and to think that our schools could be teaching something like this to my daughter or my son is infuriating,” he said.

With that in mind, Niemerg and other Republican leaders in Springfield recently penned a letter to the governor requesting that he reject legislation that has already passed both the House and Senate.

Niemerg said what could come next causes him great concern.

“The national sex education standards that we’ve pointed out in previous debate are going to be used when it comes to formulating this curriculum,” he said. “And this curriculum will have detrimental impact on our children.”

When it comes to educating young children, Niemerg said his philosophy has always been simple.

“I believe it is best left to parents and local school boards to represent the standards of their communities,” he said, adding that he has heard from parents, teachers, and school officials who overwhelmingly oppose the mandate and restriction on their ability to set proper curriculum for their students.

“Let me be clear, I will not co-parent with the government,” he said. “This goes well beyond acceptable health and safety standards.”