Speech: Florida Education Association Delegate Assembly

Florida Education Association Delegate Assembly Friday, May 11, 2001

Orlando, Florida

Hello! I appreciate the opportunity to be back in my home state of Florida. As president of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, and former president of the University of South Florida, it is indeed a pleasure to be here.

People to mention: Aaron Wallace, Executive Director, FEA, former NBPTS board member; a very close associate of Aaron’s – another former NBPTS Board Member, Angel Stanford-Wallace; Karen Olivaras, long-term supporter of the National Board; current National Board members -- Artie Almeida, (music teacher, Apopka); Pat Soto, (NBCT, science teacher, Miami-Dade); Karen Dreyfuss, founding NBPTS board member, Miami Springs.

I am also a mother and I have a feeling there are quite a few mothers with us today. In just a couple of days, our nation will pause to pay tribute to those of us, so let me say, I hope you all have a Happy Mother’s Day!

A mother’s job is often a thankless one but one that is so vitally important in every family. I’m here today to talk about another job so vitally important in Orlando, in Florida, and the United States. As a former teacher, I am so pleased to be here today and recognize you, not only as colleagues but allies in the effort to improving teaching in America.

This week happens to be national Teacher Appreciation Week. I know there are thousands of wonderful teachers all across this great state deserved of being appreciated, not only this week but every week. So, let me say, congratulations to all of you!

I would also like to recognize our National Board Certified Teachers who are with us. Today, there are almost 1,300 National Board Certified Teachers in Florida.

In addition, there are more than 2,300 Florida candidates seeking National Board Certification this current academic year and almost 14,000 nationwide.

There are more than 9,500 National Board Certified Teachers across this nation and they are teaching in urban, rural and suburban schools.

To those of you thinking about the National Board Certification process…let met say that teachers who take on this rigorous process, whether they achieve or not, tell us that it is the best professional development experience of their careers and they are better teachers because of it.

In a 1999 survey of candidates in Florida, 87 percent agreed that the process helped them develop stronger ways to evaluate student learning

It is my hope that soon we will be able to do more than just designate one week to appreciation our nation’s teachers. Isn’t it time that teachers are recognized as the professionals they are––not just one week a year but 52 weeks a year? And isn’t it time that teachers are respected and PAID like professionals?

We as a nation are losing some of our best teachers to other professions because of the growing wage gap. We need to attract more of our best and brightest to the teaching profession.

Why are we all here? Just the other day I told Florida Public Radio that the state’s pervasive growth…combined with a looming teacher shortage nation-wide…will make it imperative to find solutions to the issues of teacher quality and teacher retention – and find those solutions at home.

Efforts must be taken to interest more people, especially young people, in teaching as a career. Steps must be taken to build a profession that is more attractive than it is today.

I am very pleased to say Florida and the Florida Education Association are leaders in our effort to build the teaching profession.

The National Board is growing in part because of the salary incentives provided by the state.

Teachers who achieve National Board Certification in Florida will earn a $4,800 annual stipend to their salary and another $4,800 if they mentor other candidates.

Teaching is an important profession. Teachers are the heart of education and the key to true reform. Improving student learning depends on quality teachers.

Americans have made it quite clear that education reform is their number-one priority.

It excites me to know that so much emphasis is being placed on education reform. We must have high standards for the teaching profession. The National Board has established high and rigorous standards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do.

Let me close by saying something you probably already know. Teaching is the most important contribution anybody can make to enhance the lives of tomorrow’s future.