WASHINGTON, D.C. -- South Carolina Rep. Bakari Sellers addressed hundreds of future educators at the NEA Student Leadership Conference on June 28 in the nation's capital.

Drawing on his passion for education, Sellers shared words of encouragement and stories of hope that educators in America can overcome the struggles faced in classrooms today.

Explaining the role education plays in change, Sellers said, "Americans know the power education has to uplift, empower and unite us as a people."

"Where some have sought to oppress, the teacher seeks to energize," he said. "Where others sought to demean, the teachers seek to inspire. Where others have sought to confuse, the teacher seeks to enlighten."

Sellers expressed his support for competitive professional salaries for educators, universal pre-school and strong teacher mentoring.

"In this world marketplace, countries that out-educate us today will out-compete us tomorrow," Sellers said.

Sellers is a Democratic member of the S.C. House of Representatives, representing the District 90. He was elected in 2006 at the age of 22 and is currently the youngest member of the S.C. General Assembly.

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