Subject:

It's Time to Restore Funding for New York's Teacher Centers!

Dear Legislator,

As a constituent who cares deeply about public education, I urge you to restore $40 million in funding for Teacher Centers in the enacted budget, as the executive budget eliminates funding for these essential centers. The Legislature established Teacher Centers to provide locally determined and ongoing professional development for all educators. They are the only state-funded vehicle guaranteed to support professional development for all school districts, including over 200 high-need schools/districts, BOCES, non-public schools and charter schools. 
 
Teacher Centers assist educators in assessing and meeting the learning needs of all students. This professional learning system is organized and operated by teachers to improve their own educational performance, which benefits both educators and students.  
 
Many Teacher Centers offer programs that support students' and teachers' emotional and mental health, provide trauma-informed instruction, and provide special education teachers with experience and other learning opportunities. These offerings address some of the most significant issues facing public education and further provide best practices for overcoming them.  
 
Accordingly, I call on you to fund Teacher Centers at $40 million in this year’s enacted budget.  
 
I also ask that you support the executive budget proposal to provide $368,000 for the National Board Certification Program. However, you should amend the program to allow educators who require more than one year to complete certification to access these funds. National Board Certification is the most respected professional certification available in education and provides numerous benefits to teachers, students and schools. It was designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide.  
 
Thank you for your consideration of these very important issues. I respectfully ask that you bring up these issues with your conference and I would greatly appreciate a response to this email.  
  
Sincerely,  

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