Teacher Appreciation: Who is this guy again??

Dear Friends,

May 3rd began National Teacher Appreciation Week, a time to recognize America's hardworking and dedicated teachers. This week is also to highlight the many contributions they make to our lives. Each and every day, in schools across America, teachers work tirelessly to provide our children with a proper education and best prepare them for success in a global economy. Alongside parents, teachers help to mold young minds and create our next generation of leaders.

As a former school teacher and guidance counselor at IS 52 in the Bronx, it has been my goal since coming to Congress in 1989 to put our children first by increasing our national investment in education. This year we took a huge step forward by passing President Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This landmark piece of legislation was designed to not only meet the current economic crisis and create and save millions of jobs, but also to invest in education for the 21st Century.

New York State is expected to receive $2.5 billion that will be provided to restore proposed reductions in funding for education - half of which will be committed in 2009-10 and the remainder in 2010-11. Also, $556 million is provided for other fiscal relief to state governments over the next two years and $5 billion in education grants will be available for states meeting key performance measures.

New York is expected to receive the following:

• $1.1 billion in Title I funding for high needs students;
• $794 million IDEA funding for special education over the next two years;
• $55 million for Education Technology, in order to invest in 21st century classrooms, including funding computer labs and training teachers to use technology.

I am proud to say I received an "A" grade from the National Education Association (NEA) in the 110th Congress in recognition of my voting record on issues providing for public education and teachers. I appreciate their acknowledgement of my efforts for our students and teachers.

I am proud to be an original cosponsor of a resolution for National Teacher Day and for National Teacher Week, to honor and celebrate our nation’s teachers. This week we should remember our favorite teachers from our youth and how they helped to prepare us for life.

Sincerely,

Eliot L. Engel
MEMBER OF CONGRESS