AACTE Washington Week Under Way

(June 5, 2017, Washington, D.C.) – The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) is hosting its 2017 Washington Week through Wednesday, bringing teacher educators from across the nation to Capitol Hill and to the Renaissance Arlington Capital View hotel in Arlington, Virginia. The conference, themed “Diverse Perspectives, Deep Partnerships, One Profession,” offers attendees opportunities to showcase their programs, discuss important education policies and advocate for educator preparation in meetings with members of Congress.

“One of the best things about our democracy is the ability for individuals to meet with their representatives,” said Lynn M. Gangone, Ed.D., president and CEO of AACTE. “I can think of no better way for us to elevate educator preparation than to have a week where AACTE members are able to interact with their elected officials in both the House and the Senate.”

Held each June, AACTE’s Washington Week features three key events:

• State Leaders Institute (June 4-5): The heads of state chapters from AACTE and the Association of Teacher Educators (ATE) meet to discuss state and national policy trends.
• Holmes Summer Policy Institute (June 5): Participants in the AACTE Holmes Program, which supports students from underrepresented backgrounds entering the education profession, convene for an inside look into education policy.
• Day on the Hill (June 6-7): AACTE members and partners advocate for educator preparation and unite their voices in meetings with elected officials on Capitol Hill.

At the State Leaders Institute, the keynote address was given today by Senator Brent Hill, President Pro Tempore of the Idaho Legislature. The Holmes Summer Policy Institute kicked off with keynote speaker Antoinette Rogers, director of the Office of Teaching Learning for the Virginia Education Association. Participants at both events are learning about the political landscape affecting education on federal and state levels and discussing implications for the future of their work.

“We look to elevate educator preparation and work as one profession,” said Gangone. “There is nothing more important in our country than to prepare our children as educated citizens. Certainly, the education community represented by AACTE will be in Washington this week to talk about the importance of preparation programs that bring teachers, principals, superintendents and guidance counselors into the classroom in partnership with our P-12 community.”

AACTE’s Day on the Hill, which takes place over the next two days, entails a full day of orientation followed by a trip to Capitol Hill to advocate on behalf of the profession. Presenters and panelists include congressional staff, AACTE state leaders and  representatives from the American Federation of Teachers and National Governors Association, providing policy updates and strategies to effectively advocate and build relationships with legislators.

Follow what’s happening at AACTE’s Washington Week on Twitter at #AACTEWW17.

Media interviews are available with select featured speakers, AACTE senior officials and member institutions in attendance. To register for media credentials, send your name, title, name of media organization or publication, address, phone number and e-mail address to Jerrica Thurman at jthurman@aacte.org.

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About AACTE
The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education is a national alliance of educator preparation programs dedicated to high-quality, evidence-based preparation that assures educators are profession-ready as they enter the classroom. The over 800 member institutions include public and private colleges and universities in every state, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam. Through advocacy and capacity building, AACTE promotes innovation and effective practices that strengthen educator preparation. Learn more at www.aacte.org.