Witness

This Wednesday I have the opportunity to testify before the House Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies of the House Appropriations Committee. (How would you like having to write that every time you tell somebody where you work?)

My testimony will relate the impact of the National Writing Project on my work as a classroom teacher. Arne Duncan's Blueprint for Education Reform proposes to eliminate funding for this national network of teachers.

I have one minute.

One minute to describe how learning from other teachers has been the most powerful, transformative experience of my professional life.

One minute to defend a program that has built a network of professionals and kept 98% of them in education, working for children throughout their careers.

One minute to express how writing in a classroom can deepen and personalize learning for all students at all levels in all subject areas.

One minute to express how working with my colleagues has meant time well spent for the thousands of students who have benefitted from confident, well-informed teachers.

One minute.

What would you say about your own best professional experience if you only had one minute?