Washington, D.C. - Today, National Teacher Day, Congresswoman Betty Sutton praised Ohio's thousands of teachers and renewed her commitment to working with them as Congress improves the No Child Left Behind Act.

"Our teachers have the monumental task of preparing the next generation for success," Sutton said. "There is nothing more important for our future than our children's education, and our teachers deserve our undying support for the critical work they do."

National Teacher Day falls during Teacher Appreciation Week, which lasts from May 6 - May 12. National Teacher Day, sponsored by the National Education Association, is an opportunity to honor teachers and recognize the invaluable contributions they make in every child's life. The theme for National Teacher Day is "Great Teachers Make Great Public Schools." Teacher Appreciate Week is sponsored by the National Parent Teacher Association.

"On National Teacher Day, it is crucial that we let our teachers know that we value their hard work and support their tireless efforts," Sutton said. "The most important thing we can do to prove our commitment to our teachers and students is make much-needed improvements to No Child Left Behind.

"The No Child Left Behind Act may have been well-intentioned, but when I speak with educators from our communities in Ohio, they tell me the same thing - it does not live up to the promise of its name. We must implement sound policies across the board that will truly leave none of our children, and none of our teachers, behind.

"We need to make sure No Child Left Behind is fully funded so teachers have access to the books, technology and materials they need. We need to implement reforms that allow students and teachers in struggling schools to receive extra support. And our teachers need the flexibility to meet students' individual needs."

On Wednesday, May 2, Sutton participated in a virtual town hall phone call with over 100 educators and parents from Ohio's 13th congressional district. Sutton engaged in a conversation with participants based around questions from eight constituents from different parts of the district, including Akron, Brecksville, Brunswick, North Ridgeville and Strongsville. Questions and topics of discussion ranged from standards and qualifications for special education teachers, to funding levels, to relying on multiple measures of assessment to gauge student and teacher success.

"Policy makers in Washington must work with teachers, school administrators and other education professionals to fix the problems with No Child Left Behind. They deal with the policy outcomes everyday, and they know how best to fix it," Sutton said. "This was a wonderful opportunity to hear what those professionals have to say."

While reauthorization of No Child Left Behind will likely be the most far-reaching education legislation considered by Congress this year, Sutton is already involved in numerous initiatives to provide teachers with the support they need and deserve.

Sutton is a co-sponsor of H.R. 549, the Teacher Tax Relief Act, legislation to increase the tax deduction for teachers who spend money on classroom supplies out of their own pockets, and to make this tax deduction permanent. Teachers spend an average of $1,180 a year on classroom supplies to help their students learn. The Teacher Tax Relief Act will increase the yearly tax deduction from $250 to $400. The current tax deduction will expire at the end of 2007, and this bill will make the deduction permanent.

Sutton is also a co-sponsor of H.R. 171, the Student Support Act, legislation to improve Ohio's 500:1 counselor-to-student ratio. This bill will provide funds to states to hire sufficient school support personnel, including college counselors, social workers and psychologists.

"Every day of the year, there is more we can do to support our teachers. On National Teacher Day, I'd just like to say, 'Thank you, thank you, thank you,'" Sutton said.