Schneider Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers

Today, Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL) introduced the Teachers Are Leaders Act (H.R. 9498) to expand professional development and leadership growth opportunities for teachers. U.S. Representatives David Trone (D-MD), Chuck Flesichmann (R-TN), Lauren Underwood (D-IL), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) 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."

"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."

“When teachers thrive, so do our students and communities,” said Underwood. “I’m pleased to join this bipartisan effort to equip teachers with the resources they need to succeed in and out of the classroom. The Teachers Are Leaders Act will bring more opportunities for teachers to develop their leadership skills and use their voices to strengthen the learning environment in their schools, a critical and often overlooked part of improving teacher retention and addressing our nation's growing educator shortage.”

“Learning is not something that ends when you graduate from school; it is something that must continue throughout one’s professional career, including for those who are educating our children and will educate generations to come,” said Fitzpatrick. “The Teachers Are Leaders Act will provide essential professional development resources and leadership opportunities for the educators in our communities. I am proud to join my colleagues today in leading this bipartisan effort and to always advocate for our nation’s teachers.”

Endorsing organizations of the bill include Third Way, National Association of Elementary School Principals, and National Association of Secondary School Principals.

“Investing in teacher leadership is an important strategy for helping to retain our best educators, enhance the practice of fellow teachers, and boost learning in schools. We appreciate the introduction of this bill to expand the existing Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) grants to include professional development programs for teacher leadership. Leveraging the wisdom and experience of accomplished teachers willing to take on leadership roles in schools is a win-win situation for the individual, the staff, the students, and the school. We want to thank Representative Schneider and the cosponsors who introduced this legislation to help enhance the teaching profession," said by L. Earl Franks, NAESP Executive Director. 

Lanae Erickson, Senior Vice President for Social Policy, Education & Politics at Third Way said, “By connecting experienced teachers with high-quality professional development opportunities, the Teachers are Leaders Act will create clear leadership pathways that empower and help retain teachers, strengthen school districts, and improve student outcomes. Third Way is proud to support this investment in our nation’s teachers and the students they serve.”

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