Gov. Reynolds Taps Two BVU Grads During Press Conference
Bethany Short and Joel Pedersen, both graduates of BVU Ottumwa, spoke at Governor Kim Reynolds' press conference on Aug. 6, focused on the return to schools across Iowa.
Imagine Bethany Short’s surprise when a representative from Gov. Kim Reynolds’ office reached out recently, asking Short if she’d like to speak during a statewide news conference.
“I’ll admit, I was a little taken aback,” says Short, a 2014 graduate of Buena Vista University, and, until that time, not someone who had ever attended, much less been featured in, a governor’s press conference.
Short was chosen as that day’s topic involved education; specifically, the return to school across Iowa. Her school superintendent joined her as well. Joel Pedersen, Superintendent of Schools at Cardinal Community School District, is the 2020 Iowa School Superintendent of the Year.
“I had a great experience in earning my bachelor’s degree through BVU. I was an adult learner and had a child during my time at BVU, in a semester in which both of my classes were online. It was a perfect setting for me.”
Bethany Short
“That’s probably why we were chosen, because of Joel’s state award,” says Short.
Pedersen, like Short, is a BVU graduate. Both attended the BVU Ottumwa site as it was located within their hometown.
“I had a great experience in earning my bachelor’s degree through BVU,” says Short, who directs the Social Emotional Academic Learning program at Cardinal Middle School in Eldon. “I was an adult learner and had a child during my time at BVU, in a semester in which both of my classes were online. It was a perfect setting for me.”
Pedersen graduated from BVU in 1999. He has served Cardinal since 2009 and has worked with district leaders and residents on infrastructure, staff, and programming improvements that contributed to an enrollment boom of 338 students during the past decade.
Pedersen, like Short, told viewers and listeners they believe it’s time to begin the school year with children attending school in-person, which students haven’t been able to do across Iowa since the COVID-19 pandemic struck in March.
“We have 59 percent of our students that qualify for free-and-reduced school lunches,” Pedersen says. “That creates challenges, and if we can’t get them back to school, it’s certainly going to be tough. My school board and I plan on bringing back all of our students while also providing a virtual option to parents who have concerns.”
Short understands the issue of returning to school while COVID-19 infection rates, a daily reality, remains divisive among people. She has family members on both sides of the debate within her immediate family. There are people on both sides of the issue within her own family.
“If I teach virtually, that’s what I’ll do,” she says. “If I’m asked to teach in person, I’ll do that.”
The second option is the manner in which Short wishes to begin the academic year.
“I have six children at home, ages 5-11, and they represent a mixture of very advanced children and those who cope with disabilities,” she says. “To see them function without school has been difficult. I believe they need to be with their peers, their teachers, their support staff.
“And our home is one with Internet, with quality food choices, and more,” Short adds. “Not all children have all of those essentials at home. I’m trying to think of what school might mean to those children.”