Schneider Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers

Statement

Today, Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL) introduced the Teachers Are Leaders Act (H.R. 3108) to expand professional development and leadership growth opportunities for teachers. U.S. Representatives Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-PA), David Trone (D-MD), Chuck Flesichmann (R-TN), Lauren Underwood (D-IL), and Glenn Grothman (R-WI) joined Schneider to introduce this bipartisan bill.

Under current law, the federal Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) grant connects local schools with nearby colleges and universities to create professional development programs for new teachers. However, there are not enough opportunities for established teachers to develop leadership and peer mentoring skills that help retain teachers and boost student achievement. The Teachers Are Leaders Act would expand TQP grants by making "teacher leader" programs focused on professional development for established teachers eligible for funding. These programs would focus on peer coaching, family and community engagement, curriculum development, and other ways to make full use of their experience as educators and leaders in their community.

"Experience is often the best teacher, and that's true for our educators as well. Empowering established educators to be leaders and mentors for new teachers is an effective and smart way to retain a high-quality teaching workforce," said Schneider. "Our bipartisan bill would create more opportunities for experienced teachers to grow as leaders in their own community, including expanding opportunities for them to mentor and share their best practices with new teachers. I am grateful to have strong bipartisan support from my colleagues for this legislation to help our teachers -- and in turn, our students -- succeed."

"Professional development is essential in all positions, especially for those who are educating our youth," said Thompson. "We can all think of a teacher who impacted our lives in a positive way, and I am pleased that this legislation devotes necessary resources to give teachers the tools to become even stronger leaders. Teachers dedicate their lives to others; we should always look for ways to give back to them, too."

"Teachers are shaping our future every day in the classroom. We ought to invest in our teachers by providing development opportunities to help them thrive as leaders in our communities," said Trone. "By supporting our teachers, we are supporting a better education and stronger outcomes for our students. I'm happy to help introduce this bipartisan legislation that stands squarely behind our teachers."

"It is vital that we provide teachers with professional development opportunities to improve teacher retention and create an extended network of support," said Fleischmann. I am proud to be a co-sponsor on a bipartisan bill that works to strengthen the teaching profession in schools across our nation."

"The Teachers Are Leaders Act is a smart investment in our nations teachers, the futures of students, and our communities," said Underwood. "This bill will help strengthen our public school system and provide more teachers with the resources they need to be able to cultivate high-quality educational programs. I'm proud to join this bipartisan effort to improve professional development opportunities for teachers and school leaders."

"We are always looking at new and creative ways to provide professional development to increase teacher leadership in our schools," said Jeff Knapp, president of the Illinois Principals Association and principal of Libertyville's award-winning Rockland School. "This program would allow for an expansion from currently helping new teachers to getting existing teachers in the field what they need to take their expertise to another level and help our schools and student achievement continue to improve."