Supporting Teachers: Respect, Resources, and Retention

Great schools start with great teachers, and if we want the best educators in our classrooms, we need to treat them like professionals. That means competitive pay, respect for their expertise, and the resources they need to do their jobs. Teachers should be empowered, not micromanaged—free to focus on teaching, not bureaucracy. I will always support fair compensation, meaningful professional development, and policies that attract and retain top talent because strong teachers lead to strong students.

But support for teachers goes beyond just pay—it’s about working conditions, trust, and opportunity. Teachers should have a real voice in policy decisions, not just be expected to implement top-down mandates. They need stronger discipline policies so they are not left to handle disruptive behavior without administrative support. Professional development should be teacher-driven, practical, and directly relevant to the classroom—not another one-size-fits-all requirement.

One of the biggest ways we can support teachers is by reducing their administrative burden, allowing them to focus on educating students rather than managing paperwork. By integrating statewide, teacher-guided educational technology, we can streamline grading, automate administrative tasks, and personalize student learning, giving teachers back the time to engage with students in meaningful ways.

Teachers are the backbone of our schools, and they deserve more than just promises—they deserve actionable solutions that improve their daily experience. I will push for real reforms that respect their expertise, enhance their autonomy, and ensure they have the tools they need to succeed—because when we invest in teachers, we invest in the future of our students.