Mayor Bowser Kicks off Teacher Appreciation Week by Hosting a Lunch with DC Educators

(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser kicked off Teacher Appreciation Week by hosting a lunch for long-time and dedicated educators from DC Public Schools (DCPS) and DC public charter schools. The Mayor was joined by leaders from the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education, and event partners from Education Forward DC, a nonprofit based in Washington, DC that works to advance quality and equity in public schools. 
 
“We are incredibly grateful for the thousands of teachers who love and challenge our students every day in schools across all eight wards,” said Mayor Bowser. “When we look at the progress in our schools and when we look at record enrollment numbers, so much of that can be attributed to our teachers. Our families trust our public schools because they know and trust our teachers. We know our teachers work hard, we know they go above and beyond for our students – and that’s what we’re celebrating this week.”
 
The lunch was held at the downtown restaurant Jaleo by José Andrés, and during the lunch educators shared their experiences of teaching in DC and how District resources and programs support them in their careers. The lunch celebrated the experience of ten dedicated and long-tenured teachers from public schools in DC, including.

• Frank Briscoe – Amidon-Bowen Elementary School
• Karen Daniels – Johnson Middle School
• Jo Ann Henderson-Rhodes – Leckie Elementary School
• María Elena Mendez – DC Bilingual Public Charter School 
• Samuel (Sami) Miranda – E.L. Haynes Public Charter School 
• Katie Phillips – Anacostia High School
• Alfons Prince – Center City Public Charter School, Brightwood 
• Benjamin Sands – Coolidge High School
• Sheryl Sherwin – Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School 
• Jacquelyn Wallace – Noyes Elementary School
• Shonta Williams – DC Prep Public Charter School, Benning Middle Campus 

 
“The District of Columbia is wholly committed to our educators, and thanks to the continued support of Mayor Bowser, we are making Washington, DC an oasis for teachers,” said State Superintendent Dr. Christina Grant. “Teachers shape our students’ lives. They shape the future of the District, and they deserve to feel the backing of the city behind them in their crucial work.” 
 
OSSE and DME are also inviting residents and businesses to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week from May 8 to May 12 by participating in the following:
 

• Fill out a #ThankADCTeacher sign and shout out a favorite educator in your community on social media. Download here: tinyurl.com/ThankDCTeachers. 
• Use the hashtag #TeacherAppreciationWeek and tag @OSSEDC and @DMEforDC. Download a Teacher Appreciation Week graphic here: tinyurl.com/ThankDCTeachers 
• DC businesses offering a Teacher Appreciation Week discounts, giveaways, or events can submit them here to be shared with teachers: tinyurl.com/DCTeacherDeals 

“For Mayor Bowser to recognize the educators today for their collective 200 years of service to DC Public Schools (DCPS) is amazing,” said Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee, Chancellor of DC Public Schools. “The District’s commitment to high-quality education is made possible by educators like them, and we’re honored by their tenure.” 

“Our educators deserve all the recognition because they truly are the heart of our communities and hold the keys to shaping our future generations,” said Michelle Walker-Davis, Executive Director of the DC Public Charter School Board. “The work they do on a daily basis—instructing, encouraging, supporting, and even counseling at times—fully demonstrates the love they have for not only the profession but for their students.”
 
For residents in the District considering a career as an educator, DCPS is currently hiring teachers for School Year 2023-24. To learn more about how to apply, visit joindcps.dc.gov/become-a-dc-teacher. 

The Mayor’s Fiscal Year 2024 Budget proposal includes investments to attract and retain top teachers, including:
 

• $97 million to ensure that every DCPS teacher will receive, and every public charter school teacher will be eligible to receive, a 12.5% raise next year. 
• $1.6 million to create the District’s first teacher apprenticeship program, offering a tuition-free, paid pathway to become a teacher and grow DC’s local talent pipeline. 

 
To learn more about Mayor Bowser’s FY24 Budget, visit budget.dc.gov. 
 

Social Media:
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Mayor Bowser YouTube: https://www.bit.ly/eomvideos