Federal Impact—Funding and Programs that Support Student Learning and Needs
Dawn Bates, a long-time second-grade teacher, parent, and Teach Plus Illinois fellow, brings insights from both the classroom and her fellowship. With several years of teaching experience, Dawn is thinking about how shifts in federal support and funding may affect student learning, basic needs, and opportunities beyond the classroom.
"Through her Teach Plus fellowship, which focused on grades K–5, she worked on a project aimed at building teacher confidence in teaching science. While the findings are complete, the team is still finalizing how they will present them to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), especially as science education (STEM) often lacks professional development and funding compared to subjects like math and reading." especially as science education (STEM) often lacks professional development or funding in comparison to others like math and reading. She has also helped bring coding to the early grades, making it accessible to students younger than third grade, and recently wrote a piece about the importance of coding. She hopes funding will continue to support these programs.
Dawn’s school community has benefited from programs made possible by funding, but she worries these could disappear as there are students that rely on programs for free breakfast and lunch, eye care, and access to technology. She is glad her second-grade students have take-home computers and access to educational websites and apps that extend their learning beyond the school day but worries that cuts could jeopardize these supports.
In addition, Dawn thinks initiatives like Grow Your Own and Golden Apple are important and believes continued investment is essential in supporting aspiring educators along with stipends for student teachers during their student teaching experience. Especially amid federal funding cuts that could impact the pipeline of future educators. In her own district, she is encouraged by the opportunity for teachers to pursue and maintain National Board Certification and hopes that funding to support this certification continues.
Dawn’s story is a reminder that educators are not only teaching but constantly working to ensure students receive the tools and resources they need to thrive.
Eucarol Juarez is the Senior Communications Associate for Advance Illinois.