During Teacher Appreciation Month, Alabama an opportunity to recognize the great teachers who shape the future of our state every single day. Public education is powered by dedicated educators who believe in Alabama’s children. From the classroom teacher helping a student discover a love of reading, to the bus driver ensuring children arrive safely each morning, to the cafeteria worker providing a warm meal, to the administrator guiding an entire school community.
This year, we have even more reason to celebrate.
Over the past several years, Alabama has made meaningful and measurable strides in education. Student achievement is improving, workforce pathways are expanding, and schools across our state are benefiting from investments that are finally beginning to match the enormous expectations we place on public education. These successes did not happen by accident. They happened because educators continued showing up for students, and because leaders in Montgomery—Republicans and Democrats alike—chose collaboration over division to support Alabama’s schools.
At the Alabama Education Association, we represent every corner of the education profession. We represent teachers, bus drivers, school counselors, cafeteria workers, custodians, paraprofessionals, administrators and countless others who make our schools function every day. Too often, conversations about education focus on one role while overlooking the many people required to create a successful learning environment. The truth is simple: every adult in a school building contributes to a child’s educational experience.
A student cannot learn effectively if they are worried about getting to school safely. They cannot focus in class if they are hungry. They cannot thrive without clean classrooms, supportive staff and strong leadership. Public education works because it is a team effort.
That is why the investments Alabama has made in education matter so deeply.
Recently, Gov. Kay Ivey highlighted just how far Alabama schools have come. In 2017, Alabama ranked 52nd in fourth grade math and 49th in fourth grade reading nationally. Today, Alabama ranks 32nd in fourth grade math and 34th in reading, while leading the nation in math recovery and ranking third nationally in reading recovery. Alabama also now boasts one of the highest high school graduation rates in the country at 92 percent, while the state’s College and Career Readiness Rate has climbed to a record 88 percent.
Those numbers represent more than statistics on a page. They represent educators building academic confidence, students mastering skills that prepare them for future careers, and families seeing greater opportunities for the next generation.
These improvements are the result of sustained work from educators and meaningful investments from state leaders. Lawmakers from both parties came together to increase support for your local schools, improve educator pay, expand workforce development opportunities, and strengthen literacy and numeracy efforts across Alabama. Teachers in Alabama have now seen nearly a 20 percent pay increase during Gov. Ivey’s administration, a recognition that is attracting and retaining quality educators.
Alabama has shown that when leaders keep students at the center of the conversation, meaningful progress is possible. Educators, parents, community leaders and lawmakers can work together to build stronger schools and brighter futures.
Teacher Appreciation Month is also a reminder that appreciation must be matched with action. Saying “thank you” matters but supporting public education through responsible policy and sustained investment matters even more. The educators who serve Alabama’s students deserve competitive pay, safe working conditions, modern resources and the respect that comes with understanding the importance of their work.
The good news is Alabama is moving in the right direction.
We are seeing greater recognition of the role educators play in economic development and workforce readiness. Businesses considering investments in Alabama look first at the strength of local schools and communities. Families deciding where to live consider the quality of public education. Simply put, investing in schools is investing in Alabama’s future prosperity.
Alabama’s future depends on continuing the spirit of cooperation we have seen in recent years. Education should never be viewed as a partisan issue. Every legislator represents countless students, parents and educators in their districts. The progress Alabama has achieved proves bipartisan leadership can make a real difference in the lives of children.
As Teacher Appreciation Month comes to a close, I hope Alabamians will take a moment to thank not only teachers, but every person who helps our schools succeed. Thank the bus driver who gets students safely to and from school. Thank the cafeteria worker who knows every child by name. Thank the paraprofessional who gives extra attention to struggling students. Thank the principal managing countless responsibilities behind the scenes. Thank the classroom teacher who stays late to help a child gain confidence.
These individuals are not simply employees. They are mentors, role models, caregivers and public servants. Alabama’s educational progress belongs to all of them.
Because of educators, families and leaders willing to work together, Alabama’s best days in education are still ahead of us.
