Press Releases

Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson today released the following statement on National Teacher Appreciation Week:

"As a lifelong educator and former principal, I know firsthand that teaching is one of the most challenging jobs in America, National Teacher Appreciation Week gives us the opportunity to thank the more than three million dedicated public school teachers for meeting the challenge to build our nation's future by shaping the minds of America's children.

"I am honored to represent two of the largest school districts in America. Miami-Dade County Public Schools is the fourth-largest schools district in the country, employing 18,275 dedicated teachers who educate 356,086 students, and Broward County Public Schools is the sixth-largest school district, employing 14,640 dedicated teachers who educate 271,105 students. My district covers parts of northern Miami-Dade County and southern Broward County and is home to 122 public schools, tens of thousands students, and more than 4,000 educators of whom I am very proud.

"Our public school teachers stand at the doors of our schools as a beacon of hope much like the Statue of Liberty and beckon to our nation, ‘Give us your children and we will educate them and inspire them to excel beyond their potential. Give us your rich and poor, your hungry and fed, your black and white, your big and small, and your learned and uneducated. Give us your children and we will educate them and place them on the path to success. Give us all of your children and we will receive them with open arms and show them love.'

"I urge my colleagues in Congress and all Americans to join me in honoring these heroes, champions for children, and architects of a brighter future – our public school teachers – as we observe this special time of year, National Teacher Appreciation Week and National Teacher Appreciation Day."