GOV. RITTER SIGNS TEACHER OF YEAR & METRO STATE BILLS

Colorado will now have a formal Teacher of the Year annual recognition program and Metropolitan State College of Denver can now offer master's degrees, thanks to two bills signed into law by Gov. Bill Ritter today.

 

House Bill 1240, sponsored by Rep. Joe Miklosi and Sen. Joyce Foster, creates the state's first official Teacher of the Year Program. The bill allows the Department of Education to raise private gifts, grants and donations so Colorado's Teacher of the Year can share talents and skills with other teachers around the state.

 

"This measure goes beyond simply recognizing Colorado's teachers – it's an investment that creates an opportunity for one our best teachers to travel the state and share best practices with other teachers," Gov. Ritter said. "Teachers make the best teachers, and our best should be sharing their knowledge and helping others succeed in the classroom."

 

Today is National Teachers Day, and Colorado Teacher of the Year Susan Elliott, a Highlands Ranch High School English and social studies teacher, attended today's signing ceremony.

 

"This bill will empower the Colorado Teacher of the Year to travel the state and share their best practices with teachers across Colorado," Rep. Joe Miklosi said.

 

"This is one of best things we can do for teachers in Colorado," Sen. Foster said. "We need to recognize, support and honor the people in this state who give our kids the most valuable thing they can receive: a quality education, and, more importantly, a commitment that each child will receive unique and special attention. The Teacher of the Year Program will make sure we continue to do so."

 

House Bill 1295, sponsored by Reps. Nancy Todd and Tom Massey and Sen. Rollie Heath, allows Metro State to begin offering graduate-level degree programs.

 

"Education is the key to opportunity because it opens doors and leads to a brighter future," Gov. Ritter said. "This bill will allow Metro to better prepare thousands more urban students to succeed in today's 21st century workforce."

 

"In these challenging economic times, more Coloradans are pursuing advanced degrees to develop new, employable skills for the workforce," Rep. Todd said. "Metro State will now be able to provide a top-notch master's degree to working students and full-time students alike."

 

"I'm very proud of the good work that Metro State does, particularly for non-traditional and at-risk students," Rep. Massey said. "We are now expanding the scope of education opportunities and this will go a long way towards preparing a workforce for the future in Colorado."

 

"This bill allows students attracted to Metro, because of the uniqueness of the education there, to achieve a master's degree," Sen. Heath said. "HB 1295 will expand opportunities for these students and provide more options for these students to advance their education."
 

Visit www.colorado.gov/governor or click here for a list of legislative action by Gov. Ritter so far this session.

 

Photo Captions

 

Gov. Ritter and Teacher of the Year: Gov. Ritter with Colorado 2009 Teacher of the Year Susan Elliott at today's signing ceremony for HB 1240, which formally establishes the Colorado Teacher of the Year recognition program.

 

Gov. Ritter and Rowdy Roadrunner: Gov. Ritter shares a laugh with Metropolitan State College of Denver mascot Rowdy the Roadrunner today at the signing ceremony for HB 1295, which allows Metro to begin offering master's degrees.

 

Gov. Ritter Signs HB 1295: Metro President Dr. Steve Jordan (far right), Rep. Nancy Todd and Sen. Rollie Heath were among those who joined Gov. Ritter at today's signing ceremony.