Subject: FW: Texas Democrats recognize Teacher Appreciation Day
From: "Garcia, Walter" <[email-masked]>
To: Comm_D <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 3 May 2016 08:29:48 -0700

From: Press Texas Democratic Party [mailto:[email-masked]]
Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2016 11:29 AM
To: Press Texas Democratic Party
Subject: Texas Democrats recognize Teacher Appreciation Day

[TX Dem logo.png]

For Immediate Release

May 3, 2016

Contact: Tariq Thowfeek, (832) 429-8217, [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>

Texas Democrats recognize Teacher Appreciation Day

AUSTIN, TX -- On National Teacher Appreciation Day, Texas Democrats applaud our state’s finest teachers and acknowledge the crucial role they play in making sure every student gets a fair shot and receives a quality education.

Texas Democrats believe that a family’s financial circumstances should not dictate a student’s potential. We know that having an effective teacher is the most important in-school factor for student success. According to the Texas Tribune<https://www.texastribune.org/2014/07/11/teacher-pay-lags-attrition-and-class-sizes-grow/>, “the average teacher in Texas makes about $49,000 a year — about $8,000 below the national average.”

Unfortunately, Tea Party Republicans in our state’s legislature have placed education on the chopping block, time and time again. From cutting student financial aid to neglecting our neighborhood schools, Republicans have asked educators and our children to do more with less.

Texas Democrats know that our schools should be fully funded. Period. It is time to fix Texas’ broken school finance system, so our children receive a quality education.

On National Teacher Appreciation Day and during National Teacher Appreciation Week, let us ensure our educators know how much we value their service in the classroom, how much we appreciate all they do for our students and families, and how thankful we are for their contributions to our national progress.

Texas Democratic Party Executive Director Crystal Perkins issued the following statement:

“Today, Texas Democrats thank our teachers for all they do for our children and our state. We know that teachers are the key to unlocking the potential of Texas’ future. Our children and the Texas economy depends on their dedicated work.

“Every single one of us remembers that one great teacher that went above and beyond to make sure we got ahead. Now, it’s time we make sure they know we are there for them. We must pay teachers like the future of our country is in their hands. Because it is.”

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