Photo caption: Representatives from the College of Education & Human Development and its Project NURTURE teacher residency program pose with Sen. Jon Ossoff during AACTE's Washington Week.
story by Claire Miller
Representatives from the College of Education & Human Development and its Project NURTURE teacher residency program traveled to the nation’s capital to attend the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education’s (AACTE) 2023 Washington Week, an annual event highlighting key issues in education and advocating for quality teacher preparation.
The CEHD/Project NURTURE delegation included Kris Varjas, associate dean for research and doctoral studies; Yolanda Mucthison, master's student in special education and a Project NURTURE teacher resident; Angela Holley, Chestnut Log Middle School principal; Noris Price, Baldwin County Schools superintendent; Keysha Robinson, director of talent management for Gwinnett County Public Schools; and David Biek, dean of Middle Georgia State University's School of Education and Behavioral Sciences.
During Washington Week, they met with legislators and education legislative assistants for several congressional leaders, including Rep. Rick Allen, Rep. Drew Ferguson, Rep. Lucy McBath, Sen. Jon Ossoff, Rep. Austin Scott, Rep. David Scott, Sen. Raphael Warnock and Rep. Nikema Williams.
Many of their discussions centered around the Pay Teachers Act, a new bill designed to improve teacher pay, and federal funding to support educator preparation, including the Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) grants that support Project NURTURE.
“These TQP grant programs were designed for career changers and for people who couldn't just quit their job to go to school full-time to become a teacher. They’ve given people like me the comfort of being able to care for our families and focus on our coursework,” Mucthison explained. “I hope the U.S. representatives understand the importance of funding programs like Project NURTURE to address teacher shortages across America.”
Mucthison also appreciated the guidance Washington Week attendees receive for interacting with legislators and leading important conversations about educational policy.
“AACTE prepares and guides you every step of the way, with speakers who supports educators' interests,” she said. “Educators must realize they have a voice and can advocate for the profession in a legislative arena.”
For more information about Washington Week, visit https://aacte.org/professional-development-events/washington-week.