I believe there's not a harder job in the world than being a teacher, and there isn't a job with a more direct impact on the performance of our students.

Ensuring all kids have access to an effective, talented teacher needs to be a national priority.

Teacher compensation isn't the only factor in cultivating great teaching. Other important priorities include changing how we measure student performance, providing more flexibility to teacher-preparation programs, and improving how we train and support principals.

My time at the Denver Public Schools taught me there is no harder, or more important, job than being a teacher.