AFT-NH Testimony on HB 1298  Relative to the Licensing of Parttime Teachers

From Debrah Howes, President AFT-NH

Thank you, Chair Ward and Members of the House Education Committee. Thank you for reading my testimony.

My name is Debrah Howes. I am president of the American Federation of Teachers – New Hampshire.

I am here to speak on behalf of our 3700 members across the state, as well as the students, families, and communities we serve. Our members include preK through 12 public school educators and support staff, university faculty as well as town employees. I am here today to testify in opposition to HB 1298 Relative to the Licensing of Part-time Teachers.

We all want to do what is best for our students in our local neighborhood public schools. We want them to have challenging academics in fully staffed schools, but we also want them to have engaging lessons, carefully designed learning experiences and content communicated in a way that meets their learning needs. Being a content area expert is not the only requirement to be successful as a teacher. Hiring content area experts who are not certified educators to teach students, even if limited to parttime, would put students’ learning needs behind the appearance of filling positions.  

AFT-NH Testimony on SB 374  Relative to the Licensing of Part-time Teachers

From Debrah Howes, President AFT-NH

Thank you, Chair Ladd and Members of the House Education Committee. Thank you for reading my testimony.

My name is Debrah Howes. I am president of the American Federation of Teachers – New Hampshire.

I am here to speak on behalf of our 3700 members across the state, as well as the students, families, and communities we serve. Our members include preK through 12 public school educators and support staff, university faculty as well as town employees. I am here today to testify in opposition to SB 374 Relative to the Licensing of Part-time Teachers.

2024

HONEY CASCIO SCHOLARSHIP

and

BILLY DONOVAN SCHOLARSHIP

AFT-NH, AFT, AFL-CIO

(Deadline: Postmarked by May 1, 2024)

AFT-NH is proud to award two $1,500 scholarships for the 2024-25 academic year. The Cascio scholarship will be offered to one graduating senior who has been accepted at an institution of higher learning, while the Donovan scholarship will go to one continuing student at an accredited institution of higher learning for the 2024-2025 academic year. Prior scholarship winners are ineligible.   

You can download the application here:  /sites/default/files/media/documents/2024/2024_aft-nh_scholarship_application3-19-24.pdf.

Applicant’s parent or guardian must be a current member of AFT-NH. Winners will need to provide proof of enrollment (continuing or as a new student) for the 2024-2025 academic year in order to receive their scholarship check. All applications must be postmarked by May 1, 2024.