Fifth-grade teacher David Javsicas was recently awarded national certification by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards.

"It's a very long process and it just felt great to get it done in the first place," said Javsicas.

In the past, the recognition included a bonus of 10 percent pay and another bonus for mentoring other teachers. This year's bonus amount is uncertain due to a drop in state funding.

"Money is a way in our society we show what our priorities are," said Javsicas. "If you take away money from something, whether or not you mean to, it can send the message that it's a lower priority."

Javsicas says he understands that times are tough for everyone, but admits he wouldn't like money taken from schools. And it's not a new problem for educators.

"I think that this is the kind of field where people try to figure out what they can do with what they have," said Javsicas.

Today the Florida Senate announced it will move up its budget meetings to next week to figure out how to address this year's $2 billion deficit. "This is not simply another budget exercise," Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater said. "Throughout this nation, and in particular this state, there has been a tectonic shift in the structural underpinnings of our economy that requires us to look at our mission through a different prism."

State representative Chuck Chestnut wants to see education avoid cuts by the state.

"If we as a legislature, if education is important to us I think we need to fund education," said Chestnut. "let's put our money where our mouth is."

Javsicas says helping schools will help the entire community.

"It will pay dividends that will be beneficial for everybody and not just for the students right here."