Teachers in Connecticut and nationwide are being celebrated during Teacher Appreciation Week, including with special luncheons, discounts for educators and more.
While educators recognize such forms of gratitude, they are also demanding action, with the federal government again proposing sweeping cuts to the Department of Education. There are new proposals to cut funding for efforts like addressing teacher shortages.
Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, said vulnerable students are being left behind.
"This administration has decided it’s not going to take care of our kids and make sure they have what they need every day to create a safe, just, and inclusive, exciting, joyful learning environment," Pringle contended.
The latest cuts stem from President Donald Trump's executive order to dismantle the Department of Education. The White House argued school policy is best left to the states.
Connecticut teachers said they are seeing appreciation from legislators. The General Assembly advanced bills on a bell-to-bell cellphone ban and reforms to teacher terminations. The governor also is prioritizing added K-12 dollars, along with a study into how the state can better fund public education.
During the week, Teacher Appreciation Day is May 5, and May 7 is National Black Teachers Day. Pringle noted it is important not just for minority students to see themselves reflected in their educators but teaching to have a diverse workforce. While it is important to lift up educators from all different backgrounds, she stressed more must be done to bring more diversity to teaching.
"One of the things we have been paying attention to is the retention and the disparate numbers of Black teachers in particular who leave the profession after a few years," Pringle explained. "It's important for us to pay attention to that. Once we have them in the classroom, how do we keep them?"
A Rand Corporation report found Black teachers were significantly more likely than White teachers to report intentions of leaving the profession in 2025, consistent with data from previous years.
Source: Public News Service
