Colin Powell, in his memoir My American Journey once said that "Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier." … As I travel around our state, I am encouraged by the new optimism I see in the faces of all South Carolinians.

We are continuing to focus like a laser beam on improving public education … and we are getting results. Just look at what that meant for us in the General Assembly.

Yesterday, the final pieces – for this year – came into place for many key education measures.

The list is … frankly … incredible.

First Steps …. Our landmark preschool initiative.

The biggest school building plan this state has seen in four decades.

Alternative Schools to begin getting a handle on discipline in the classroom.

The chance for voters to approve an education lottery to put much-needed resources into our classrooms without raising taxes.

And there’s more .. Class size reduction … higher teacher pay .. school resource offices and a principal’s institute … the list goes on and on.

But even with all of that …. Much remains to be done.

In the 1980s, during the historic effort to pass the Education Improvement Act … Governor Dick Riley said, "An old South Carolina is dying. A new South Carolina – strong … and vital … and very proud -- is struggling to be born.

We will not build the new South Carolina with bricks and mortar. We will build it with minds."

I believe some of the most important builders of this new age Governor Riley described …. this new South Carolina … must be our teachers.

That is why I am pleased today to announce the formation of the Governor’s Commission on Teacher Quality.

Together, we will develop a statewide action plan to attract the best and brightest teachers … address the teacher shortage in South Carolina …. and celebrate teaching as a profession.

Furthermore, the Commission on Teacher Quality will change the way we train teachers.

The commission will work with our state’s colleges and universities to ensure that graduating teachers have the knowledge necessary for teaching … are proficient in the new standards established by the Accountability Act … and have real-world, hands-on experience in the classroom.

We need to treat teaching like any other professional occupation …. with higher standards … continuing education so teachers can learn the latest skills … and a steadfast commitment to excellence.

In the spirit of cooperation that is already reaping dividends for our schools … the bipartisan Commission on Teacher Quality will be co-chaired by Senator Nikki Setzler, Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum, and Larry Wilson of PMSC.

his effort can’t come at a more crucial time.

There is a coming teacher shortage in the United States. Nationwide, we’ll need to replace 2.2 million teachers over the next ten years.

Retirement, attrition, and increased student enrollment are all increasing demand for new teachers.

And if we are committed to reducing class size – as I am – then we will need even more teachers.

This will take some innovative solutions. That could include making certification more portable from state to state.

Another possibility … We need flexible certification procedures that promote alternate pathways into the teaching profession.

For example, we have a strong military presence in South Carolina. We should capture some of these dedicated public servants who would make teaching a second career.

And let’s make it easier for business people … scientists … and other qualified professionals to move into teaching

There have been efforts to address this teacher shortage .. including the work of our state’s colleges and universities.

Over the next few months, the Commission on Teacher Quality will be working with higher education programs to address the way we train and certify teachers, so we can meet our state’s teaching needs.

I have written Rayburn Barton, Executive Director of the Commission on Higher Education, asking him to develop recommendations for improving our teacher education programs. I am asking all College Presidents to make this a top priority.

And this emphasis on quality must continue once our education majors take the important step from participant in the classroom …. To leader.

I am struck by the number of young teachers who leave the profession during the first three years – we lose a big investment. I am asking my Commission to pay particular attention to national mentoring models that we can adapt to fit the needs in South Carolina.

And I believe that overall, we need to do more in this state to celebrate teaching as a profession.

We need to hear from teachers about what we can do to improve the workplace environment. We lose too many good, experienced teachers to burnout … and too many young, promising teachers leave the profession because they feel isolated.

We are taking steps in the right direction.

I requested that the General Assembly raise teacher pay 325-dollars above the Southeastern average … and they did.

I asked the legislature to encourage good teachers of retirement age to work a little longer. They responded by letting teachers earn 25-thousand dollars without losing retirement benefits. In school districts with critical needs, there are no limits.

This compensation is long overdue. But there is more. We need to raise the public perception of teaching.

In the book, The Prince of Tides, the main character, Tom Wingo, is a teacher. When he is asked about why he went into teaching instead of some more lucrative profession, Tom replies,

"There is no word in the English language I revere more than teacher. My heart sings when a kid refers to me as his teacher and it always has. I’ve honored myself and the entire family of man by becoming one."

As you leave here today, never lose sight of your magical power …. as teachers …. to touch the lives of children everyday. And go forth confident in the knowledge that your state has pledged its support to renewing the strength of education … now and in the future.

With all of us working together ... the spirit of optimism that I see today in our state will grow. And with hard work .. our list of key education accomplishments will grow. And it will include another, vital piece.

That is the assurance that here in South Carolina our teachers are second-to-none. … That our professional educators truly represent 21st century quality.

Our students deserve no less that first-rate builders of minds …. And with continued optimism … and perseverance … together we will build a system of South Carolina schools that are second to none.

Thank you for your devotion to this task … and your help as we move forward.