Bipartisan legislation unveiled on Aug. 26 by U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) aims to bolster leadership opportunities and professional development for America’s educators by providing for a teacher leader development program.
“By advancing teacher leadership, we retain talent, address our nationwide educator shortage, and ensure every student benefits from the guidance of effective, inspired educators,” Rep. Fitzpatrick said. “I am proud to bring the voices of our local teachers to the national stage and build bipartisan consensus around this critical reform.”
The congressman cosponsored the Teachers Are Leaders Act of 2025, H.R. 5056, alongside bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) and three other original cosponsors.
If enacted, H.R. 5056 would provide grants for a teacher leader development program that offers professional development of teachers who maintain their roles as classroom teachers and who also carry out formalized leadership responsibilities to increase the academic achievement of students and promote data-driven instructional practices that address the demonstrated needs at the elementary schools and secondary schools, among other provisions, according to the bill’s text.
“Strong schools start with strong teachers, and the best ideas come from listening to them,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “In my conversations with teachers across PA-1, one message has been clear: while we invest heavily in preparing new educators, we do not do enough to support the growth of those already serving in our classrooms. The Teachers Are Leaders Act changes that.
“It empowers experienced teachers to mentor their colleagues, lead in curriculum development, and strengthen engagement with families and communities,” he said.
Rep. Schneider noted that empowering experienced educators to mentor new teachers is one of the best ways to retain a high-quality teaching workforce.
“The Teachers Are Leaders Act will give our best educators more opportunities to lead in their schools, mentor colleagues, and share best practices,” he said, “and ultimately help our children flourish.”
H.R. 5056 has been endorsed by the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, and the American Association of School Personnel Administrators, among others.