Hoyer Joins Sec. Duncan, Lt. Gov. Brown & Local Educators for Town Hall Meeting on Education

BOWIE, MD – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) joined U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, officials at Bowie State University, and local educators, for a TEACH Campaign Town Hall to discuss the importance of teaching and teacher recruitment, especially among minority males.

"Investing in education has long been a priority in Maryland, and I am pleased to stand with Secretary Duncan, Lt. Governor Brown and all those who participated today, in recognizing the importance of providing a quality education to all of our children," stated Congressman Hoyer. "We believe that helping our children excel in their education is not only the right thing to do, but also crucial to our sustained economic recovery and competitiveness. Our future as a Nation depends on the hard work of our teachers and educators, who consistently work to strengthen education policies, improve student performance, and provide our children with the knowledge and the tools to help them succeed. I look forward to working together to ensure that we continue to attract the best and the brightest to the teaching profession, so that we can foster the best possible future for our State and our Nation."

"With more than a million teachers expected to retire in the coming years, there will be a growing demand to recruit and train talented and passionate new teachers, particularly in high-need schools and demanding subject areas." said Secretary Duncan. "As the next generation of teachers joins those already in the classroom, they will have the historic opportunity of transforming our education system for years to come. If you care about promoting opportunity and reducing inequality, the classroom is the place to start."

"Governor O'Malley and I are committed to providing Marylanders with the highest quality education," said Lt. Governor Anthony Brown. "We are proud to be named America's top public school system three years in a row, but we know that our work is far from over. We must continue our efforts to close the achievement gap, attract highly qualified teachers to our toughest schools, and ensure that all students are college and career-ready upon graduation. Today's Teach Town Hall is a great opportunity to discuss the challenges we must overcome together, and I thank President Obama, Secretary Duncan and Congressman Hoyer for their commitment to improving education in Maryland and throughout the country."

The TEACH campaign is an initiative of the United States Department of Education designed to raise awareness of the teaching profession and get a new generation of teachers to join the ones who are already making a difference in the classroom. At TEACH.gov, one can learn what it's really like to be a teacher and get the tools needed to launch a career in education.

In 2008, Congressman Hoyer helped secure $192,000 in Federal investments for the Principals' Institute at Bowie State University. The Principals' Institute is an 18-month curriculum that covers preparation for principal certification for elementary, middle/junior high and high schools in Prince George's County, as well as orientation to leadership and advanced professional development.

For more information on the TEACH Campaign, click here.