For your consideration ...
Also known as the taxpayers. Why should taxpayers pay for any related educational requirements, regardless of how they were implemented or came about? Then, after the taxpayer pays for this "certification", "teachers" can demand more pay. Rinse, wash, repeat. I don't believe for a minute that "teachers" unions somehow didn't have a hand in this. It is part and parcel of the liberal playbook using deception, contrivances, and subterfuge to get to their end goal, which is ALWAYS about moar money.
Ask any real estate agent if their biennial continuing education certification costs to maintain their real estate sales licence are ever reimbursed by their broker. Doesn't happen. Because it is the agent's personal responsibility to keep their licence current. Why should "teachers" be treated any different? Why aren't "teachers" responsible for their own certification costs? Maybe "teachers" don't know how to be responsible because they are always pampered and coddled like children and with enough whining are given that cookie from the cookie jar?