Contact: Mike Myslinski at 650-552-5324
BURLINGAME – Barbara E. Kerr, president of the 340,000-member California Teachers Association, issued this statement on Rep. Nancy Pelosi becoming the first woman and first Californian to be named speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives:
“This is a profoundly historic day. As the first woman and Californian to be named speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi will continue her strong support for public education, and all students will benefit from that support. The change in power in Congress today offers teachers hope that the reauthorization of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act will finally create – with bipartisan cooperation – a law that actually improves student learning, helps our schools and is fully funded.
“In our classrooms, educators look for teachable moments to inspire our students. Today is one such moment, and I hope it will motivate generations of women and girls to make a difference through politics at the local and national level. Nancy Pelosi shows what hard work, compassion and perseverance can accomplish.”