Legislature(2025 - 2026)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
05/12/2025 03:30 PM Senate EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SJR21 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SJR 21 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
May 12, 2025
3:38 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Löki Tobin, Chair
Senator Jesse Bjorkman
Senator Jesse Kiehl
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Gary Stevens, Vice Chair
Senator Mike Cronk
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 21
Supporting and encouraging the continued recruitment and
retention of international educators on J-1 and H-1B visas in
the state.
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SJR 21
SHORT TITLE: INTERNATIONAL TEACHER VISAS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) TOBIN
05/07/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/07/25 (S) EDC
05/12/25 (S) EDC AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
LOUIE FLORA, Staff
Senator Löki Tobin
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced SJR 21 on behalf of the sponsor.
LISA PARADY, Executive Director
Alaska Council of School Administrators
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified by invitation on SJR 21.
JENNIFER SCHMITZ, Director
Alaska Educator Retention and Recruitment Center
Alaska Council of School Administrators
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified by invitation on SJR 21.
DALE EBCAS, Special Education Teacher
Kuspuk School District
Aniak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified by invitation on SJR 21.
ADAM WEINERT, Special Assistant to the Commissioner
Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions on SJR 21.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:38:37 PM
CHAIR TOBIN called the Senate Education Standing Committee
meeting to order at 3:38 p.m. Present at the call to order were
Senators Kiehl, Bjorkman, and Chair Tobin.
SJR 21-INTERNATIONAL TEACHER VISAS
3:39:21 PM
CHAIR TOBIN announced the consideration of SENATE JOINT
RESOLUTION NO. 21 Supporting and encouraging the continued
recruitment and retention of international educators on J-1 and
H-1B visas in the state.
3:40:26 PM
LOUIE FLORA, Staff, Senator Löki Tobin, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, introduced SJR 21 on behalf of the
sponsor:
[Original punctuation provided.]
SJR 21 supports the recruitment and retention of
educators on J-1 and H-1B visas in Alaska schools.
A J-1 visa, also called an exchange visitor visa, is a
nonimmigrant visa that allows temporary entry for
foreign nationals participating in exchange visitor
programs. Categories of exchange visitors include au
pairs, camp counselors, interns, physicians, scholars
and other professionals who want to come to the United
States to teach or learn.
3:41:06 PM
MR. FLORA continued introducing SJR 21:
[Original punctuation provided.]
U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright introduced the
Exchange Visitor Program, or J-1 visa, under the
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961.
The program's aim is to promote "the interchange of
persons, knowledge, and skills, in the fields of
education, arts, and science,"
Similarly, the H-1B visa program has facilitated the
employment of highly skilled professionals in critical
subject areas such as science, mathematics, and
special education, where there is often a shortage of
qualified candidates.
The H-1B visa program was officially established on
November 20, 1990, when President George H. W. Bush
signed the Immigration Act of 1990 into law. Some
school districts are looking at using H-1 B visas as
an option to keep foreign teachers beyond five years,
which is the maximum stay allowed under the J-1 visa
program.
Workers coming to the U.S. on an H-1B visa must meet
certain requirements, such as having a bachelor's
degree and special training. Employers must also
fulfill obligations, including committing to pay
foreign workers a fair wage and not displace U.S.
employees.
Alaska's educational landscape faces unique
challenges, particularly in rural and remote
communities where attracting and retaining qualified
teachers is a persistent issue. To address this,
school districts increasingly rely on the J-1 and H-1B
visa programs, which allow qualified international
educators to teach in Alaska's schools.
School districts in Alaska that employ J-I and H-1B
educators include the Anchorage School District,
Kuspuk School District, and Kodiak Island School
District.
The contributions of J-1 and H-1B educators are
invaluable. They help bridge the gap in teacher
shortages, particularly in specialized subjects and
underserved areas. Their presence enhances the
educational experience for all students, fostering a
more inclusive and globally aware learning
environment.
By supporting J-1 and H-1B visa opportunities for
educators, we are investing in the future of Alaska's
children and the strength of our communities.
3:44:26 PM
CHAIR TOBIN mentioned other schools that employee J-1 and H-1B
educators are Bering Strait School District, Northwest Arctic
School Borough, and Nome Public Schools.
3:44:51 PM
LISA PARADY, Executive Director, Alaska Council of School
Administrators, Juneau, Alaska, testified by invitation on SJR
21 thanking the committee for continuing to focus on one of
Alaska's most urgent public education challenges, recruiting and
retaining qualified educators. She stated that staffing
shortages remain widespread across all districts, especially in
rural areas and hard-to-fill positions like special education.
She highlighted international hiring through J-1 and H-1B visa
programs as a promising development, noting that these educators
bring strong instructional skills, deep commitment to students,
and valuable cultural perspectives.
MS. PARADY shared that two Alaska Native elders spoke positively
about international teachers serving in their villages, saying
both they and their students loved them and that the teachers
were highly engaged in school and community life. This reflects
what other districts have reported.
MS. PARADY explained that the Alaska Council of School
Administrators (ACSA) formalized its work into a statewide hub
called the Alaska Educator Recruitment and Retention Center
(AERRC), in partnership with the Department of Education and
Early Development. She stated that AERRC emerged from the
Governor's Teacher Retention and Recruitment (TRR) working
group, which recommended a central hub, alternative pathways,
and international hiring of teachers.
3:48:26 PM
MS. PARADY that Ms. Schmidt, a retired Anchorage principal, now
serves as AERRC's director. AERRC assists districts with every
step of international hiring, including logistics, legal
navigation through an experienced immigration attorney, and
professional development. She emphasized the goal is to take
that additional workload off districts and ensure educators feel
welcomed and prepared. She recalled a story of a teacher
arriving in a northern village with only a sweatshirt as the
kind of situation they aim to prevent. AERRC is working hand in
hand with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to
ensure international educators get what they need to succeed.
3:50:01 PM
MS. PARADY stated that states across the country are using a
range of strategies to address teacher shortages and rebuild
educator pipelines, including grow-your-own programs, financial
incentives, teacher residencies, streamlined certification,
housing, and mentorship. She emphasized that efforts must focus
on both attracting new teachers and retaining experienced ones.
She said ACSA, through AERRC, is committed to strengthening
Alaska's educator pipeline by investing in long-term strategies,
including grow-your-own initiatives to build local capacity.
MS. PARADY noted that international hiring helps meet immediate
staffing needs and stabilize schools while long-term solutions
develop. She stated that SJR 21 recognizes the critical role
international educators already play in Alaska and affirms
support for their continued success. She emphasized ACSA's
commitment to helping districts recruit and retain highly
qualified educators and described international hiring as one
key part of a broader effort.
MS. PARADY reported that for FY 24, 20 Alaska school districts
employed teachers on H-1B visas, 134 teachers received initial
visas, and 63 received visa continuations.
3:52:17 PM
SENATOR BJORKMAN commented that ATP is the reason he came to
Alaska and thanked Ms. Parady for her work.
3:53:02 PM
JENNIFER SCHMITZ, Director, Alaska Educator Retention and
Recruitment Center, Alaska Council of School Administrators,
Juneau, Alaska, testified by invitation on SJR 21 by expressing
support for the resolution and thanking the committee for its
continued focus on educator retention and recruitment. She
acknowledged ongoing staffing challenges, especially in rural
and remote areas, but noted that several districts are entering
the school year without long lists of unfilled positions. She
attributed this progress largely to the hiring of international
educators through J-1 and H-1B visa programs.
3:54:07 PM
MS. SCHMITZ pointed out that J-1 visas are not new in Alaska,
citing her experience as a principal at a Chinese immersion
school in Anchorage where visa-holding teachers were valuable
assets to the program. She explained that AERRC has assumed
responsibility for the Alaska Teacher Placement platform, where
districts post jobs and applicants apply. She reported that a
recent virtual job fair hosted by AERRC saw over 1,600
international teachers register and more than 900 participate,
reflecting strong qualifications and interest. She emphasized
that these educators bring teaching experience, professionalism,
cultural depth, and deep commitment, not just filling vacancies
but strengthening school cultures, mentoring colleagues, and
ensuring consistent, high-quality education.
3:55:58 PM
MS. SCHMITZ said ACSA supports both long- and short-term
solutions through AERRC, in partnership with the Department of
Education and Early Childhood Development and the Department of
Labor and Workforce Development. She explained that AERRC is
becoming an agency to recruit teachers, interview on behalf of
districts, and assist with induction and other needs as they
arrive in Alaska.
MS. SCHMITZ reported that she has heard weekly from a couple of
additional districts seeking support with international hiring
due to increasing difficulty filling positions. She said AERRC
is also providing targeted professional development, including a
classroom management course requested by members, which served
over 200 educators last year and is expected to grow this
summer.
MS. SCHMITZ affirmed a strong commitment to growing Alaska's own
pipeline by expanding in-state and in-country recruitment,
supporting paraprofessional pathways, and making education a
more attractive profession. She concluded that international
hiring helps maintain quality education now, while long-term
efforts continue, and that the SJR 21 sends a clear message that
Alaska values and supports every educator serving its students.
3:58:15 PM
DALE EBCAS, Special Education Teacher, Kuspuk School District,
Aniak, Alaska, testified by invitation on SJR 21. He stated that
he also serves as president of the Federation of Filipino
American Educators, a chapter of Unified Inc., and spoke in
support of [SJR 21]. He emphasized that international teachers
play a vital role in stabilizing education in Alaska's remote
communities and shared his experience teaching in the Kuspuk
School District for nearly five years, where high turnover had
previously disrupted student learning and trust.
3:59:42 PM
MR. EBCAS described the personal challenges of adjusting to
Alaska's climate, culture, and education system but credited his
successful transition to strong administrative support and
access to professional development, including training in
classroom management, reading instruction, and special
education. He expressed gratitude to the Department of Labor and
Workforce Development and the Office of Citizenship Assistance,
highlighting Deputy Commissioner San Juan's efforts to support
Filipino teachers' integration and success.
MR. EBCAS shared that he was honored in 2024 as Individual of
the Year for Inclusive Practices by the Governor's Council on
Disabilities and Special Education and has participated in
competitive fellowship programs to grow as an educator and
advocate. He urged the committee to pass the resolution, which
he said affirms the essential contributions of international
teachers and supports the continued success of Alaska's schools
and students.
4:02:34 PM
CHAIR TOBIN stated that recent research shows teacher turnover
correlates with approximately a 3 percent decline in student
outcomes. She emphasized that retaining educators directly
improves student academic achievement, which is the primary goal
of education services in the state.
4:02:59 PM
CHAIR TOBIN opened public testimony on SJR 21; finding none, she
closed public testimony.
4:03:30 PM
SENATOR KIEHL asked Mr. Weinert to explain the relationship
between J-1 and H-1B visas and broader immigration discussions.
He inquired whether these visas serve as a path to permanent
residency or if they are temporary measures.
4:04:03 PM
ADAM WEINERT, Special Assistant to the Commissioner, Department
of Labor and Workforce Development, Anchorage, Alaska, answered
questions on SJR 21. He stated that J-1 visas are for exchange
and H-1B visas are for employment, and both are temporary in
nature with no direct path to permanency. He noted that many
long-serving international teachers in Alaska are interested in
staying if they can transition to a visa that offers a path to
permanent residency. He said this is something the department
strongly encourages and that it supports school districts in
pursuing these opportunities on a case-by-case basis.
4:04:49 PM
SENATOR KIEHL stated that it was important to clarify the
temporary nature of the visas to keep the conversation focused
on educational impacts and opportunities. He emphasized the need
to avoid being distracted by broader national immigration issues
that are not relevant to SJR 21.
4:05:23 PM
CHAIR TOBIN held SJR 21 in committee.
4:05:53 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Tobin adjourned the Senate Education Standing Committee
meeting at 4:05 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SJR 21 Version A 05.07.2025.pdf |
SEDC 5/12/2025 3:30:00 PM SEDC 5/14/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 21 |
| SJR 21 Sponsor Statement 05.12.2025.pdf |
SEDC 5/12/2025 3:30:00 PM SEDC 5/14/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 21 |
| SJR 21 Fiscal Note LEG-SESS 05.11.2025.pdf |
SEDC 5/12/2025 3:30:00 PM SEDC 5/14/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 21 |
| SJR 21 Research - ADN Article 05.10.2025.pdf |
SEDC 5/12/2025 3:30:00 PM SEDC 5/14/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 21 |
| SJR 21 Research - KYUK Article 05.12.2025.pdf |
SEDC 5/12/2025 3:30:00 PM SEDC 5/14/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 21 |