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ask.heather@mail.house.gov
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In Washington DC
442 Cannon House
Office Building
Washington, DC
20515
202-225-6316 Phone
202-225-4975 Fax |
In Albuquerque
20 First Plaza NW
Suite 603
Albuquerque, NM
87102
505-346-6781 Phone
505-346-6723 Fax |  |
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Congresswoman Heather Wilson, First Congressional District of New Mexico
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| Wilson Aims to Give Teachers Credit |
March 08, 2002 |
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Representative plans education push over coming weeks
Albuquerque, NM - When it comes to the success of our nation`s education system and the students who rely on it, Congresswoman Heather Wilson wants to give credit where credit is due. The New Mexico lawmaker this week introduced legislation that would provide a $2,000 tax credit to teachers in Title I, Part A eligible schools. Title I is a federal program that provides additional funds to schools that have a large number of low-income students. Those schools sometimes have a harder time recruiting and retaining teachers.
Wilson spoke with teachers today at Hodgin Elementary School in Albuquerque, a Title I school that specializes in teaching deaf and hard of hearing students, about her hopes of recruiting and keeping teachers where their talents, skills, and experience are most needed.
"There is no magic bullet that will give us great schools," says Wilson. "But we can improve public education step-by-step. We`ve made tremendous progress with the Leave No Child Behind Act that Congress recently passed, funneling an additional $57 million into New Mexico and providing more flexibility to use federal funds. But I think we can do even more. I think we can support our teachers and give them the professional development and the resources they need to do their jobs."
Wilson`s bill provides a $2,000 non-refundable tax credit for teachers, assistant teachers, principals, and assistant principals in an elementary or secondary school who teach or work full-time in a Title I school. Since Hodgin Elementary is a Title I-eligible school with 80% of their students eligible for free or reduced lunches, at least 40 staff members would be eligible for the tax credit under Wilson`s bill, effectively increasing their take home pay by as much as $2,000 per year. The credit would take effect in tax year 2,003.
There are more than 130 schools in Albuquerque that are Title I eligible schools.
"Next to their parents, the most important person in a child`s education is their teacher," Wilson told several Hodgin teachers gathered over lunch to discuss education with Wilson. "I`ve visited over 100 schools in the last three years. We need to attract and keep the best teachers we can to the schools that need great teachers most."
"I`m here because I love what I do, and I love working with kids," said Hodgin Principal Rose Dixon. "When I retire and look back, I`ll be at peace with the work I`ve done with my life. But this is a hard job. We need incentives to attract teachers who are willing to use their talents and their skills in schools with higher needs. Congresswoman Wilson is a strong supporter of education and teachers and we`re thankful that she wants to give educators credit for the work we do. We can`t thank her enough."
Congresswoman Heather Wilson is focusing her attention in the coming weeks on further improving public education. Throughout the next few weeks she will introduce several pieces of legislation that will focus on areas where Wilson believes the public education system can be strengthened or improved.
"Education continues to be my personal passion. It`s the reason I got into public life," said Wilson. "A good education lasts a lifetime. I look forward to building on the progress we`ve already made."
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