As America observes National Teacher Appreciation Month this May, I am reminded of the lasting impact teachers have on our lives. Some of my best memories have been spent in classrooms—from attending elementary through high school in Wilcox County to Auburn University and later teaching a class of my own. These experiences not only shaped my journey but also reinforced my belief that investing in education is one of the most important responsibilities we have as a state.
Because of what education means to me, elevating the quality of instruction in Alabama’s classrooms has been a top priority throughout my nine years as governor. And that started with teachers. Each year in office, I have requested teacher pay raises. Including the additional two percent proposed for the upcoming fiscal year, my Administration will have increased educator’s pay overall by 18.5 percent since taking office.
We have also begun stipends for hard-to-staff schools and for certified academic language therapists, special education teachers and speech pathologists. During the last legislative session, we passed the largest education budget in state history.
Beyond salary and benefit increases, I have remained committed to improving the quality of life for Alabama’s teachers. Just last year, I signed the Alabama Public Employee Paid Parental Leave Act of 2025, which allows up to eight weeks of paid parental leave for our teachers.
During my administration, Alabama has invested in the future of education more than ever before, and we are seeing historic gains in college and career readiness, math recovery and pathways for career and technical education instructors along with it. These record investments matter because our teachers matter.
Success in the classroom is just not possible without the skills and dedication of our teachers. Last summer, the National Council on Teacher Quality reported that Alabama teachers ranked the best prepared in the nation in improving elementary math instruction. And I have a feeling they are just getting started!
Teachers also played a role in the passage of legislation last year enhancing the quality of learning for Alabama’s students. The Focus Act, which removes distracting cell phones from classrooms, has already been hailed as a huge benefit to student engagement and learning. Teachers strongly supported this commonsense idea!
When viewed from the basic level, our educators power every part of our society. Because of them, engineers develop the skills to design our roadways, farmers learn the fundamentals of agriculture to grow the food that comes to our tables, nurses learn to provide both expert and compassionate care for our families, and the next generation is prepared to build a stronger future for us all.
Each day, the dedicated individuals within our schools provide the tools that will define the legacy of our Sweet Home Alabama. That is why, throughout the year, we must commit to celebrating the selfless dedication and enduring influence of those who lead our classrooms and guide the future of our communities because stronger teachers mean stronger students and a stronger Alabama!
