MISSOULA, Mont. — Shannon O’Brien, is the Democratic candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction in Montana’s 2024 election. She stopped by NBC Montana Today for a live interview with Jason Hurst that aired Friday, November 1st.

O’Brien said he has been campaigning across the state and has heard concerns about the education system.

“Everybody cares about the kids,” O’Brien said. “They want what’s best for the kids. That means what’s best for parents and what’s best for teachers.”

O’Brien said she began her career as a high school social studies teacher and basketball coach, and has worked in college access with low-income and first-generation students. She also served as an education policy advisor to former Governor Steve Bullock and served as dean of Missoula College. She is also a state senator.

O’Brien said the teacher shortage crisis is her main focus.

“Last June alone, 2,000 teachers walked off the job,” O’Brien said. “Fewer and fewer students enter the teaching profession. We really need to address this head on, and frankly, we need to adequately fund our public education. It’s time teachers were paid a living wage.”

Parents want a safe school and an effective, quality teacher in the classroom, according to O’Brien.

“It’s pretty simple,” O’Brien said. “It doesn’t seem like the bar is high, but I think now we really have to raise it.”

O’Brien said there are opportunities to supplement federally funded Headstart.

“If we can reach that early age, then they’re much more likely to be reading at a third-grade level,” O’Brien said. “It’s an essential moment for children. If they can read at a third grade level, they are much more likely to be successful, not only in middle school and high school, but statistically they are much less likely to be convicted of a violent crime. and dropping out of school”.