CHILDREN, TEACHERS & TRADES

Invest in the People Building Florida’s Future

Florida’s future starts in its classrooms. Frank Russo believes we cannot say children are our future while undervaluing the people responsible for educating them. And we cannot prepare young Floridians for a changing economy if we continue pretending a four-year college degree is the only path to success. Frank’s plan starts with a simple idea: invest in children, respect teachers and give every student a real path to a good-paying future.

Treat Teachers Like the Professionals They Are

Florida should be competing for the best teachers in America - not losing talented educators because they can't afford to build a life here. Frank is proposing to raise Florida's average teacher salary to at least $75,000 a year while strengthening teacher recruitment, retention and classroom support. But this isn't only about a number. Teachers need to know that Florida respects their profession, listens to their experiences and understands what they're being asked to do every day. We should cut bureaucracy before we cut teachers.

Leadership Begins by Listening

Frank doesn't believe politicians should make decisions about classrooms they've never spent time in. That's why he began the process of becoming a Florida substitute teacher - including completing the fingerprinting process - so he can experience today's classrooms firsthand and better understand what teachers and students are actually facing. His challenge to other elected leaders is simple: Walk the talk. Spend time in a classroom. Talk to teachers. Listen to students and parents. Understand the reality before writing the policy. Frank believes leadership begins by listening - and education policy should be no different.

Put More Money Into Classrooms - Not Bureaucracy

Frank believes raising teacher pay has to be accompanied by a serious look at where Florida's education dollars are going. His approach is to reduce administrative waste and redirect resources toward teachers and classrooms rather than allowing bureaucracy to continue growing. His existing education proposal also calls for using state reserves as a bridge for increased teacher compensation rather than initially funding the increase through new taxes. The principle is straightforward: Put the people teaching our children ahead of the bureaucracy surrounding them.

Build Confidence, Character & Capability

Education should prepare children to pass tests - but Frank doesn't believe test scores alone define a successful education. He wants Florida schools to help young people develop confidence, character and capability so they're prepared to make decisions, solve problems, adapt and succeed when they leave the classroom. For Frank, education isn't only about what a child knows. It's also about whether that child believes they can build something with what they've learned.

Bring the Skilled Trades Back

Not every successful career begins with a four-year college degree. Florida needs electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, construction professionals and skilled workers - and those careers can provide young Floridians with good-paying opportunities without requiring them to take on four years of college debt. Frank wants to bring skilled-trades education back into Florida high schools so more students can graduate with certifications, practical skills and a direct path into the workforce.

Prepare Floridians for the AI Economy

Artificial intelligence is going to change what work looks like. Frank believes Florida should prepare for that change rather than wait until workers are displaced by it. That means strengthening skilled careers that are difficult to automate while also preparing students and workers to participate in AI and emerging industries. Frank's Florida 9.9 proposal would reinforce that investment through the protected Florida Future Fund - supporting teacher pay, skilled trades and apprenticeships, and education and retraining for workers affected by AI and automation.

Earn While You Learn

Frank's plan would expand technical training and create more paid apprenticeship opportunities connecting students directly with employers and skilled careers. He also wants experienced tradesmen and tradeswomen to have greater opportunities to teach the next generation - recognizing that decades of real-world experience can be just as valuable in a technical classroom as a traditional academic credential. Students should be able to leave high school with more than a diploma. They should have options. College. A trade. An apprenticeship. Entrepreneurship. A career. The goal is opportunity - not forcing every young Floridian down the same path.

The Test Is Simple

Frank doesn't believe the success of Florida's education system should be measured only by another ranking or report from Tallahassee. Ask: Are we attracting and keeping great teachers? Are our children prepared for life after graduation? Does every student have a path to a good-paying future? If we can answer yes, Florida is moving in the right direction.

FRANK J. RUSSO

RACHEL RODRIGUEZ