Hill Day 2011

Today, Donna Ross and I represented Alabama NBCTs in DC by visiting 8 of Alabama's legislators (the 9th received a packet of information but was unable to meet). Later in the afternoon we were joined by five additional Alabama NBCTs. We stressed the power of National Boards Certification in empowering teachers to reach each individual student  which in turn directly impacts and reforms education in each of our classrooms. Then we showed them the evidence of how a NBCT is better equipped to meet the needs of his/her students even in high risk schools. We requested that they each continue to support ESEA which continues to fund NBPTS with 1% of those funds.

We were met with a wide variety of responses. Our meeting with Congresswoman Terri Sewell's staff, Spencer Bachus' staff,  and Jeff Session's staff went exceedingly well. They were very interested in what we had to say; they listened; they asked questions. We were able to briefly speak with Representative Bachus who was very interested in what we had to say.

When we walked into Representative Martha Roby's office, she was just returning from picking up her daughter from camp. She and her legislative assistant took the time (40 minutes) to meet with us and discuss education. She is a freshman on the Hill and on the Education and Workforce Committee. She has a hearing tomorrow and asked us a lot of questions about education and the National Boards process.

Overall it was an amazing day. We were very appreciative of everyone taking the time to meet with us. I feel like everyone listened to what we had to say and I hope that today, we made a difference for the children of Alabama.

~Julie D. Ramsay
(Special thanks to Gene Ramsay for taking all of these photos during Hill Day.)