MICHIGAN SENATE
Offered by Senators Hertel, Geiss, Brinks, Ananich, Chang, McMorrow, Bayer, Bullock, McCann, Alexander, Polehanki, Moss, Irwin, Santana and Wojno
A RESOLUTION TO OBSERVE MAY 3-7, 2021, AS TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
WHEREAS, Teachers have one of the most important roles in our society, shaping Michigan’s future through the education of our youth; and
WHEREAS, Teachers are the foundation of our communities. As students spend the majority of their time in school, they are in the capable hands of educators who are also mentors, role models, coaches, confidantes, and sources of encouragement and guidance; and
WHEREAS, Teachers and administrators selflessly invest their own extra time and money to ensure their students have the best educational experience possible; and
WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic upended the professional lives of educators. Teachers left their classrooms in a moment’s notice and learned to teach their students from home, continuing their education without disruption, and as much sense of normalcy as possible during an unprecedented health crisis; and
WHEREAS, It is particularly difficult to be a teacher in Michigan. Stagnant school funding, low wages, and lack of support and incentives contribute to Michigan’s retention rate and teacher shortage; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 20 percent of Michigan teachers leave their school every year, several points higher than the national average rate. In the 2018-2019 school year, more than 1 in 6 Michigan educators left their school or the profession entirely; and
WHEREAS, A state audit recently found that many of the policies in place to support new teachers are not adequately enforced, due in part, to lack of staffing and funding; and
WHEREAS, These factors, exacerbated by the stress of the pandemic, have taken a severe and overwhelming toll on Michigan educators. Compared to the 2019-2020 school year, retirements are up this year by 40 percent, a number that does not include teachers who left the profession before qualifying for retirement; and
WHEREAS, Michigan must recognize its role in supporting the future of the education profession. In order to ensure the quality and stability of education for years to come, educators need the support and incentive to remain in the classroom and reverse our retainment trajectory; and
WHEREAS, Teachers deserve our support and appreciation every week of every year for their dedication to Michigan’s children and our state’s future, but especially for their efforts through the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, Michigan educators deserve to know that the countless hours they have invested into the education and well-being of our students is not just recognized, but deeply and sincerely appreciated; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED BY THE SENATE, That the members of this legislative body observe May 3-7, 2021 as Teacher Appreciation Week; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we encourage every Michigan resident to express their gratitude for educators. Adopted by the Senate, May 5, 2021.
Secretary of the Senate