U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will join students, teachers and other education professionals for a panel discussion on recruiting the next generation of teaching professionals at George Washington University on Monday, April 7. A question-and-answer session will follow. The discussion will focus on innovation in the classroom, challenges facing teachers today and the possibilities and promise for the next generation of teachers. Jeff Johnson, award-winning journalist, social activist, political commentator and author, will moderate the discussion. A media availability will follow the event.
The event is part of the TEACH campaign to recruit a greater number of diverse, high-quality teachers to join those already in the classroom. With 50 percent of pre/K-12 teachers eligible for retirement in the next 10 years, a new generation of teachers has the opportunity to transform public education in America. Yet, less than nine percent of top students would consider teaching as a possible career choice. African Americans and Hispanics make up 40 percent of our nation’s student body, but less than 20 percent of teachers.
TEACH is a collaboration among the U.S. Department of Education; leading U.S. companies, including Microsoft and State Farm®; national education organizations; and teacher associations. To learn more about TEACH, visit www.TEACH.org.