Gallego, Adams, Reed, Casey, Axne, & Hayes Introduce EDUCATORS for America Act

Statement

Today, Representative Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) and Representatives Cindy Axne (IA-03), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), and Alma Adams (NC-12) in the House, as well as U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Bob Casey (D-PA) in the Senate introduced the EDUCATORS for America Act, urgently-needed legislation to address teacher shortages exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The EDUCATORS Act will invest in states and educators to improve the teacher pipeline and create more career-ready teachers and school support staff.

"Our educators are the bedrock of our country's future, and they show up each and every day--pandemic or otherwise--to make sure our children get the education they deserve," said Rep. Gallego. "That is why it is imperative we recruit and cultivate a diverse, qualified educator workforce that touches all corners of our country. That's especially true in Arizona, where we have one of the worst teacher shortages in the country, affecting more than 1 in 4 classrooms. We are better off if we have more teachers, not less, and that is why I am proud to co-lead the comprehensive EDUCATORS for America Act so that states and communities have the tools they need to build a pipeline of diverse, highly-trained, and well-supported educators.

"As an educator for forty years, I always hoped some of the bright young minds I taught would go on to become educators themselves. Unfortunately, aspiring educators are often discouraged by high student debt, low salaries, and the lack of institutional support," said Congresswoman Adams. "Educators are struggling, particularly as they continue to grapple with the pandemic. Schools are facing pervasive staffing shortages, and we can no longer afford to neglect the educator pipeline. It's time for a comprehensive national investment in our educators."

"The EDUCATORS for America Act will mobilize and support states and local communities in improving the educator pipeline so that all schools have the diverse educators they should have, to support student development and academic achievement. It will support educator preparation programs and partnerships and remove financial barriers to entering the education profession. After the disruption and devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked on our education system, we can't wait for the next generation of teachers to appear; we must act intentionally to urgently recruit hard-working teachers in the classroom, and importantly, provide them the support to retain them in the classrooms. That's why I'm proud to introduce the EDUCATORS for America Act with my House colleagues and Senate partners," concluded Adams.

"Our nation's outlook for the future is tied to the strength of the education profession and today the profession is in crisis," said Senator Reed, a senior member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, and a long-time champion for educator preparation and professional development. "The EDUCATORS for America Act provides a comprehensive plan for uplifting the profession based on input from stakeholders across the education field about what is needed to recruit, prepare, and support educators."

"As a proud mom of two Iowa public school students, I've seen firsthand the difference that a quality education from good educators can make in a child's life. And in the face of the most difficult school years in recent memory, we need to make sure we have the educators in place to continue supporting our students," said Rep. Axne. "We know that we need more educators, and that we need to do more to ensure our educators are supported once they're on the job. With this legislation, we invest in Iowa's educators --and by doing so, Iowa and our whole nation will see a monumental return on our investment."

Rep. Hayes stated, "I joined my colleagues in support of the EDUCATORS for America Act because it addresses the multitude of concerns classroom teachers face every day. We need to recruit, prepare, and support current and future educators, with financial assistance, faculty development and capacity building, while ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion. As a teacher, I understand the impact this bill will have on educators, students and the community."

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