Del. Dickie Bell (R-Staunton), a retired special education teacher, encourages teachers to apply for the newly created Governor’s Teacher Cabinet. The Cabinet, comprised of teachers from across the Commonwealth, will advise the governor and Secretary of Education on policies related to the status of teaching in Virginia.
The Cabinet will focus on strategies for enhancing teacher quality, leadership, and professionalism for 21st Century learning, and will provide an annual report to the governor on the “State of Teaching in Virginia.”
“I believe that the Teacher’s Cabinet will help ensure that the voices from the classroom level do not get lost as we implement some of the most comprehensive educational reform in decades,” said Bell. “Teachers are more than qualified to offer advice on ways to improve our educational system, as they serve on the front lines every day. I am confident that their advice will prove to be invaluable as we continue to work to assure that every child in Virginia receives a top-tier education.”
The executive order signed on May 1st this year created the Teacher’s Cabinet as just one of the ALL STUDENTS Agenda items. The K-12 Education Reform Agenda included more than 39 bills, budget amendments, and executive orders. Several key pieces of legislation passed that recognize and reward excellent teachers by placing a high priority on innovation, flexibility, and accountability in our classrooms.
Bell stated he was “very pleased” to be the chief Ppatron for a key piece of the ALL STUDENTS agenda. House Bill 2151 will implement a series of changes designed to streamline the teacher evaluation process in Virginia. The legislation also included a 2% pay raise for teachers.
The General Assembly and the governor approved $7.5 million to fund this effort which could give as many as 1,500 teachers a compensation bonus of up to $5,000.
Teachers can apply for the Teacher Cabinet online by May 15. Applications are online at https://solutions.virginia.gov/OASYS. Teachers must also submit two letters of recommendation, one from an administrator and one from a student or parent. When using the online form, teachers should select ‘Designated’ under secretariat heading and then ‘Governor’s Teacher Cabinet’ under boards and commissions.
Elected to the House of Delegates in 2009, Delegate Bell represents the 20th District, which includes parts of Nelson and Augusta Counties, Highland County, and the Cities of Staunton and Waynesboro.
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