'Teacher Appreciation Week' Resolution Passes RI House

A resolution to recognize the week of May 2 through May 6 as "Teacher Appreciation Week" passed the Rhode Island House of Representatives Thursday afternoon. State Rep. Lisa Tomasso (D) of District 29 introduced a resolution, which passed 64-0.

Rep. Tomasso invited teachers and their representative organizations from across the state onto the House floor, introducing them by microphone to members of the chamber.

East Providence had several teachers present, including Val Lawson, Social Studies teacher at and President of the East Providence Educational Association. Other East Providence educators included Fran Barry of , Mary Gallegher of and Tony Guglielmi of .

Before the vote took place, Val Lawson spoke to why she supported the resolution.

"Teachers are professionals in the classroom," she said. "We have the ability to advocate for our students. Supporting teachers helps to support our students."

Lawson also spoke to the unique vantage point teachers have, as it relates to helping students.

"There's a lot of attention being paid to public education right now," she said. "I'm here to let people know what happens in the classroom. There's a lot of people with opinions about what education is, and they're not in the classroom. Teachers have a special role in the discussion."

Lawson added that there are "many stakeholders when it comes to helping students" and that teachers were "one of the many groups that can help in the discussion."

The passing of the resolution was not without question. At its introduction, House Minority Leader Robert Watson (R) offered initial skepticism during the objections portion of the resolution's hearing.

"Before we move forward with this, we need to know what this implies," he said. "You might want to know if there is binding arbitration or some other policy you might not want to sign on to."

After a few moments, Rep. Watson spoke again, saying that he would support the measure, as he learned there was no such policy in the resolution.

"I'm trying to make sure that nobody gets sandbagged," he said.

After the House adjourned, Rep. Watson spoke as to why he sought clarification on the House floor.

"There's a movement afoot to get binding arbitration into law," he said. "I don't trust the progressives and Democrats in that chamber."

Rep. Watson stated that he "has no reason to doubt Tomasso's sincerity" as it related to the resolution and was "happy to support it" upon learning that it "did not contain policy."

Tomasso's resolution pertains to 2011, and a similar resolution would need to be introduced in upcoming years to refresh a "Teacher Appreciation Week."

Rep. Tomasso said that is something she is "more than willing to do."