schools
Sen. Mark Kelly wants more men in classrooms through new legislation
By Scripps News Group at KXXV (ABC 25) News
· July 16, 2026
· 2 min read
Sen. Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat, is promoting new bipartisan legislation aimed at addressing the nationwide teacher shortage by improving educator recruitment, training and retention.Kelly said he wants to attract a broader range of teachers, including more men. He highlighted the gender gap...
Key takeaway RELATED STORY | Big student loan changes hit July 1, but most borrowers say they're not readyKelly is also promoting the Building Community in America Act, which focuses on national service.
Why this matters in The Waco
In Waco , where local schools are also grappling with teacher shortages, Sen. Mark Kelly's legislation could have a direct impact on the community. The push to attract more men into teaching could help address the gender gap in local classrooms, where male role models are essential for young students. As Kelly noted, having male teachers can provide valuable mentorship opportunities, especially for boys who may not have positive male influences at home. In McLennan County, where education is a vital part of the community, increasing the number of male teachers could help improve student outcomes and provide a more balanced learning environment. By encouraging organizations to recruit more men into service programs, the Building Community in America Act could also help address social isolation among young men in Waco, a issue that can have long-term consequences for their academic and personal success.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: schools ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 2 min
Get more The Waco stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering schools and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Sen. Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat, is promoting new bipartisan legislation aimed at addressing the nationwide teacher shortage by improving educator recruitment, training and retention.Kelly said he wants to attract a broader range of teachers, including more men. He highlighted the gender gap...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Scripps News Group at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More schools →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter