The first time I read the National Board’s seminal text, What Teachers Should Know and Be Able to Do, I felt seen, heard and valued. The text was written by teachers and for teachers. It makes it clear that our work as teachers and learners is difficult. Not in the way that parents post on social media that teachers should be paid a million dollars after trying to manage virtual school. Or in the way that makes teachers sound like super-human beings. We don’t have super powers. We work. The National Board made my work more focused and effective.

With hopeful signs that the pandemic’s grip is loosening, we can start to focus on recovery and we have a lot of catching up to do. That’s especially the case with schoolchildren. Despite the heroic efforts of educators across the Commonwealth, many students lost ground over the past year. Far too many are struggling with lost instruction time, social isolation, hunger and mental health challenges. Now more than ever, we need to deliver innovative solutions that will accelerate students’ learning and recovery.