Rita Hart has spent a majority of her adult life in the education sector, so when she speaks to concerned citizens about schools, she feels their pain.

Hart, a Democrat from Wheatland who is running against Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks for the seat of retiring U.S. representative Dave Loebsack in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, addressed issues with four potential constituents in the education field during a virtual roundtable Thursday.

One of those taking part in the discussion was Ottumwa’s Melinda Jones, who has taught in the school district for 11 years, mostly as an English Language Learner teacher. Jones expressed concern about the uncertainty and lack of guidance at the state and federal levels.