Washington, DC – Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), along with Representatives Brad Schneider (IL-10), John W. Mannion (NY-22), Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), and Lauren Underwood (IL-14), introduced the bipartisan Teachers Are Leaders Act, legislation to expand professional development and leadership opportunities for educators across the country.
The Federal Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) program has long connected schools with universities to prepare and support new teachers. But as educators across Bucks and Montgomery Counties have told Congressman Fitzpatrick directly, too few opportunities exist for professional growth once teachers are already in the classroom. The Teachers Are Leaders Act addresses this gap, ensuring that veteran educators have access to leadership pathways that strengthen schools and improve student success.
Fitzpatrick: Listening to Local Teachers, Leading National Reform
“Strong schools start with strong teachers, and the best ideas come from listening to them,” said Fitzpatrick. “In my conversations with teachers across PA-1, one message has been clear: while we invest heavily in preparing new educators, we do not do enough to support the growth of those already serving in our classrooms.
The Teachers Are Leaders Act changes that. It empowers experienced teachers to mentor their colleagues, lead in curriculum development, and strengthen engagement with families and communities. By advancing teacher leadership, we retain talent, address our nationwide educator shortage, and ensure every student benefits from the guidance of effective, inspired educators. I am proud to bring the voices of our local teachers to the national stage and build bipartisan consensus around this critical reform.”
A Bipartisan Effort with Broad Support
“Empowering experienced educators to mentor new teachers is one of the best ways we can retain a high-quality teaching workforce,” said Rep. Schneider. “The Teachers Are Leaders Act will give our best educators more opportunities to lead in their schools, mentor colleagues, and share best practices -- and ultimately help our children flourish."
“As a public school science teacher for almost thirty years, I know firsthand what it takes to retain experienced teachers and best support our students,” said Rep. Mannion. “Teachers change lives, and every child deserves to learn from educators with the tools, training, and support to help them succeed in and out of the classroom. The bipartisan Teachers Are Leaders Act would empower teachers to lead in their school districts and communities – mentoring colleagues, engaging families, and strengthening curriculum so every student can reach their full potential.”
“When teachers thrive, so do our students and communities,”?said Rep. 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.”
"It is vital that we provide teachers with professional development opportunities to improve teacher retention and create an extended network of support,” said Rep. Fleishmann. “I am proud to be a co-sponsor on a bipartisan bill that works to strengthen the teaching profession in schools across our nation."
The Teachers Are Leaders Act is supported by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), National Education Association (NEA), National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), Third Way, and the American Association of School Personnel Administrators (ASSPA).
"School principals recognize that developing teacher leaders helps retain highly effective educators while also providing essential mentorship to new teachers, all of which benefit their students and the larger school community,” said L. Earl Franks, Ed.D., CAE, NAESP Executive Director. “We endorse the Teachers Are Leaders Act and applaud the bipartisan coalition of cosponsors for championing this legislation."
"The role of the teacher has evolved, requiring ongoing professional development to build leadership skills in areas like leading teams, engaging with families and the community and coaching their colleagues,” said Ronn Nozoe, NASSP CEO. “The Teachers Are Leaders Act will provide critical resources to empower experienced teachers and better prepare them for career advancement, ultimately strengthening the pipeline of future school leaders.”
Building on Fitzpatrick’s Record of Delivering for Local Schools
The Teachers Are Leaders Act builds on Congressman Fitzpatrick’s long record of championing educators and securing critical resources for schools across PA-1. Earlier this summer, following Fitzpatrick’s meeting with Secretary of Education McMahon—where he pressed the urgency of unfreezing federal education funds—the administration released billions of dollars in previously frozen resources to support after-school programs, ESL instruction, and other vital student services.
“From securing urgent federal dollars to protecting Head Start, and now advancing the Teachers Are Leaders Act, my commitment has never wavered: I will always fight to ensure our schools have the resources, leadership, and tools they need so that every child in PA-1 has access to a strong start and a bright future,” said Fitzpatrick.
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