Statement of U.S. Congressman Mike Honda

"The Yale National Initiative empowers educators to further develop their talents in a collaborative nature in order to support best practices at their local school sites. It was through grassroots advocacy of teachers from the congressional district I represent that I came to support H.R. 2255, the Teachers Professional Development Institutes Act. California educators are empowering their local school communities through participation in this program. Having been involved with the American public school systems for over 30 years as an educator, principal, and school board member, I know that school communities are positively impacted when teachers have the time to pursue meaningful and purposeful professional development."