CONTACT:  Staci Maiers  (202) 822-7823 

November 16, 2006 

Members of Congress Influenced by Classroom Experiences

NEA Issues “Educators Before They Were Lawmakers” List

WASHINGTON—Many of America’s top lawmakers began their careers in the nation’s classrooms before they moved to the halls of Congress.

In celebration of American Education Week (November 12–18), the National Education Association has identified 79 legislators who were educators before they were elected to serve in Congress. From Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Sen.-elect Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) to House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), members reflect fondly on their educator experience and how it shaped their lives.

“The careers of these successful lawmakers show us the value of classroom experience for those entrusted with writing our nation’s education laws,” said Reg Weaver, president of the 3.2 million-member NEA. “A background in education gives these legislators an understanding of the importance of great public schools as a vital component to our nation’s well-being.”

Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) agreed: “As an educator, I learned that education is the single greatest capital investment we can make in our nation’s future.” Rep. Rob Andrews (D-N.J.) shares this opinion. “Working as a teacher showed me how important access to educational opportunities can be in transforming people’s lives,” said Andrews.

On the eve of his retirement from Congress, Sen. Mark Dayton (D-Minn.) said teaching was “the toughest job I ever had. The experience left me with profound respect for the tremendous work that dedicated teachers perform all across our country, for which they receive too little pay and too little appreciation.” Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) concurred. “I quickly appreciated how difficult it is to be a good teacher.  It takes more than intellectual ability.  A good teacher has to engage students and to pass on a passion for learning,” said Reed.

Other members found teaching more than a career.  Rep. Ted Strickland (D-Ohio), the incoming Ohio governor, said it was “a terrific opportunity not only to teach, but to learn from my students as well.” Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.), a former school nurse, added “being an educator… was a calling… ” Reflecting on his time in the classroom, Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), who taught fifth grade at a Bureau of Indian Affairs school in Fort Yukon, said “It may not have been a luxurious career, but it is my proudest professional achievement.” 

Many lawmakers declared that being an educator has shaped their decision-making on Capitol Hill.

Teaching inspired Republican Rep. John Shimkus of Illinois “to sponsor legislation regarding bullying and to cosponsor the Teacher Tax Credit Act, Teacher Tax Relief Act, Full Funding for IDEA Now Act, and the Social Security Fairness Act.” Teaching also “laid the foundation for what I do today,” according to Rep. Tom Lantos (D-Calif.). And Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) credits her background as a social studies teacher as one of the reasons why she is “a strong champion in Congress for excellence in our nation’s education system.”  Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett (R-Md.), a former college professor, agreed: “The skills I learned as an educator I use every day as a member of Congress.”

Find out who else is on NEA’s “Educators Before They Were Lawmakers” list.  Visit NEA’s American Education Week Web site at www.nea.org/aew for a complete list of the 79 members of Congress whose lives were profoundly shaped by being an educator.

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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.