Senator McConnell Recognized as a Teach for America Congressional Champion

WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) will be recognized as a Teach For America Congressional Champion for his continued efforts to expand educational opportunities for students in Kentucky and across the nation. McConnell is one of 12 bipartisan members of Congress to be honored in this way by CEO Elisa Villanueva Beard.

“Our Congressional champions have played an instrumental role in growing Teach For America’s impact in our first 25 years. Their support for critical funding and key policy provisions has helped expand educational opportunity for children growing up in poverty across the country and inspired thousands of individuals to join the fight for educational equity and excellence,” said Teach For America CEO Elisa Villanueva Beard. “I am thankful for leaders like Senator McConnell who are committed to ensuring that all children in this nation have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.”

McConnell was selected for his strong and consistent support for high quality alternative routes to certification, which provide the opportunity for qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds to enter the teaching profession, fulfilling a critical need.

“Teach for America is doing outstanding work in the Commonwealth recruiting, training and supporting new teachers to help children in eastern Kentucky succeed in the classroom and in the community. It is an honor to be recognized by TFA as a Congressional Champion and to assist TFA with educational opportunities for the Appalachia region of Kentucky,” McConnell said.

Teach For America has been a community partner in the Appalachia region since its founding in 2011. This year, as Teach For America celebrates its 25th anniversary nationally and the region celebrates its fifth year in Appalachia, 44 corps members reach thousands of local students. Another 140 alumni call Kentucky home and work from all sectors to expand opportunity for children growing up in low-income communities. As the most selective teacher preparation program in Kentucky, Teach For America’s focus on talent is showing results: Betsy Layne High School, in Floyd County, Kentucky, where TFA has placed teachers for the past five years, has successfully transitioned from a school that “Needs Improvement” to “Distinguished” on its annual school report card. BLHS was recently honored by a visit from Bill and Melinda Gates and their Foundation staff to see how this dramatic accomplishment was achieved.

Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO)

Rep. Susan W. Brooks (R-IN)

Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK)

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)

Sen. William Cassidy (R-LA)

Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI)

Chairman John Kline (R-MN)

Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY)

Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA)

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS)