I joined Mayo Clinic Rochester in 2017 and served as division chair of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics. Prior, I was medical director, of the Autism Center and Pediatric Developmental Medicine at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in Florida.

Collaboration with the schools was a constant during my career and I noted significant academic declines over the past eight years. During this time, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) took precedence. By 2026, less than half of 10th and 11th grade students were at grade level in reading and math. Yet over two decades, hiring of school administrators rose by 132%, while only a 5% rise in hiring teachers, and laws were passed that allowed for graduation with lower academic achievement.

The needs I see are to hire more teachers, move money away from the DEI agenda and devote funds to teaching academics, including civics. The schools seem to have forgotten that our children are our future.