ALEXANDRIA, Va., (Sept. 2, 2022)—This week, the Biden-Harris Administration announced new efforts to help strengthen the teaching profession and address teacher shortages as the new school year gets underway. National PTA President Anna King issued the following statement on the new efforts:

“It’s no secret that times have been tough, but as they have always done, teachers show up every day and go beyond the call of duty to support children’s learning and development and ensure they have the tools they need to reach their full potential. It is critical that we support our teachers, invest in them and future teachers, and show appreciation for everything they do for our nation’s future leaders.

“National PTA and PTAs across the country have long been involved in activities that strengthen respect and support for the teaching profession. Our association has also long advocated for appropriate funding authorities to establish salaries commensurate with the professional preparation and dedication necessary for effective teaching. We applaud the Administration for taking action with efforts that will help strengthen the teaching profession and build morale.

“Among the efforts, the Administration is calling for:

• Continued use of American Rescue Plan funds to increase teacher pay; diversify candidate pools; and invest in the number of school nurses, counselors and social workers in school buildings.
• A new partnership to be launched between the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor to fund registered apprenticeship programs for teachers and ensure more efficient and effective pathways into the profession.
• Support for newly-launched job fairs and job portals to strengthen the recruitment of new teachers and other critical school professionals, including nurses, counselors and social workers.

“Educators should be held with high public esteem, reflecting the value that communities place on public education, which is essential to our democratic system of government. Our association remains committed to elevating and supporting teachers and advocating for the support they need.”

Among PTA’s longstanding efforts to support teachers, National PTA has designated the first week of May as Teacher Appreciation Week since 1984. As part of the association’s activities during Teacher Appreciation Week this past May, National PTA hosted a special Facebook live conversation in collaboration with the National Education Association (NEA) to provide a platform for educators to share the realities of teaching right now and what they really need to feel encouraged, appreciated and respected. National PTA also released a special “teacher talk” mini-series of its Notes from the Backpack podcast, featuring conversations with educators about what it is like being a teacher right now, what they wish families knew about their job and how families can work with teachers to improve the education system.

About National PTA

National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth. For more information, visit PTA.org.