U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly has introduced two proposed bills aimed at supporting young men during their school years while encouraging more people to pursue careers in education and public service.
Kelly discussed the proposals Friday during a visit to Sandra Day O’Connor High School in Arizona, where he met with teachers, spoke about challenges facing young men, and helped pack school supplies for the 2026-27 school year.
Focus
Kelly said one of the concerns driving the legislation is the declining number of male teachers in classrooms.
According to Kelly, men made up about 35% of teachers when he was younger, compared with roughly 23% today.
He said fewer male educators means many boys have fewer opportunities to see men serving as mentors and role models in schools.
Teachers
During the event, teachers shared concerns they have heard directly from students.
Some educators said young men have expressed difficulty finding positive male role models and sometimes feel overlooked in broader public discussions.
Emmett Burnton, the 2025 Arizona Teacher of the Year and a history teacher at Boulder Creek High School in the Deer Valley Unified School District, described conversations with students who struggled to identify with historical figures or define their own identities.
He said some teenage boys became emotional while discussing those challenges.
Concerns
Kelly also pointed to technology and social media as factors affecting young people’s mental health.
He contrasted his own experience of getting his first flip phone at age 32 with children today who often have smartphones at much younger ages.
Kelly said he believes Washington has not done enough to regulate social media and address its impact on young people.
Bills
Kelly’s legislative proposals focus on education and public service opportunities.
| Bill | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Educators for America Act | Creates pathways for young adults, with a focus on men, to attend free teacher residency programs and enter the teaching profession. |
| Building Community in America Act | Encourages young men to participate in national public service organizations. |
Kelly said both measures are intended to provide more opportunities for young men while strengthening public service careers.
Education
Supporters of the proposals say increasing the number of male teachers could provide additional mentorship opportunities for students and help address teacher shortages.
The legislation would also encourage greater participation in public service by creating new pathways into education and community service programs.
The proposed bills have not yet become law and will need to move through the legislative process in Congress. Kelly said the measures are designed to support young men by expanding educational opportunities, promoting public service, and increasing the presence of male role models in schools across the country.
