Alaska: Representative Maxine Dibert worked to gain bipartisan support to improve teacher recruitment and retention in the recently passed education omnibus bill, which would make it easier for districts to hire experienced teachers and give them credit for out-of-state experiences, provide a bonus to nationally board-certified teachers, and recruit retired substitutes to fill vacancies across the state. Dibert’s additions to the bill included provisions to offer retired teachers a lifetime teaching certificate at no cost, extend the number of consecutive days a retired teacher can serve as a long-term substitute, and encourage retired teachers to share their expertise with students and young teachers.