'I'm not going to teach in Iowa': UNI students explain why they're not sticking around

[progressoid]

She grew up in Ames and went to the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in Cedar Falls to become a teacher. But Lydia plans to leave Iowa as soon as she graduates.

“Here at UNI, there’s so much emphasis in our classes on social-emotional learning and inclusion and talking about issues of diversity,” she said. “And then, at the legislative level … there are so many restrictions on prohibiting the types of things we’re encouraged to do here as educators.”

...

“When looking for jobs and looking for opportunities, it’s better to look outside of the state; that’s what [that legislation] signals in my opinion,” she said.

These thoughts were shared during a Friday morning listening post held at UNI by State Sen. Eric Giddens, a Democrat whose district includes the college. The theme of the event was, “Why are young people fleeing the state?”

...

Other students mentioned a lack of amenities, the state’s abysmal mental health care system, and abortion rights getting chipped away.

...https://iowastartingline.com/2024/02/23/im-not-going-to-teach-in-iowa-uni-students-explain-why-theyre-not-sticking-around/

[OAITW r.2.0]

1. Educators, Healthcare folks, women and their SO's leave. What's left?

A Republican dystopian wasteland.

[multigraincracker]

2. When I was young, we moved from

Arkansas to Iowa and then to Michigan. Both parents were academics. They made smart decisions.
Ya’ll come on up.

[oldmanlynn]

3. Im surprised there is alot of emphasis on diversity and inclusion

When i was i. College it was a concept or an orientation type class. I can believe in Iowa they only talk about this. Something is not right with this

[Grins]

4. The Dobbs decision should be #1

For women. They need to leave the state.
And their BF’s should join them.
Let the state be an economic failure because of gop laws.

[calimary]

6. No kidding!!!

If you’re female, even your body isn’t your own in Iowa!

[Envirogal]

5. UNI is my Alma mater

And the sad state Iowa has taken over the last decade is heartbreaking. Iowa used to be a very pragmatic, centrist state with a high education level. And now it is mired in the mediocrity
and ignorance of conservative mindsets.

[progressoid]

7. Mine too.

plus my spouse, brothers, and many friends.

The drop in Iowa's rank in education is an embarrassment. States used to look up to us. This is sad.

[rsdsharp]

9. And mine. And my siblings, daughter and son-in-law.

When I was a kid Iowa was typically ranked number 1 or 2 in education nationally. We were the quintessential purple state, and the Republicans who were elected were mostly moderate to liberal (remember Bob Ray?).

I thought Terry Braindead was bad, but Kimmy is absolutely awful.

[cbabe]

8. How Ya Gonna Keep 'Em Down on the Farm

After they’ve seen Paris (Freedom))

https://m.