American Federation of Teachers

Feb 23

An immigration success story

As the Obama administration moves to overturn a judge’s ruling that blocked the president’s executive action on immigration, it’s worth hearing from someone whose story shows what immigration reform is all about.

This is AFT member Rosa Alvarez, a second-grade dual language teacher in Austin, Texas:

“My mother and I immigrated to Wisconsin in 1995, when I was just 9 years old. This August will mark 20 years since my arrival to the United States. It has been my dream to become a teacher since I was just 5 years old. My teachers have always been my heroes; they saw potential in me that I myself did not believe I had and encouraged me to set and achieve my goals. My desire to become an educator grew throughout my childhood, and I made the decision to study education in college.

"Because of my immigration status, however, my journey to college graduation was very difficult. In 2009, after a lot of hard work, I received a bachelor of science in education with minors in bilingual education and English as a second language. Unfortunately, because of my continued lack of immigration status, I had to wait over three years to use my degree and become a teacher. During those three years, I lost a lot of hope of ever becoming a teacher; I thought that relief would never come, and I even considered returning to Mexico.

"In 2012, relief finally arrived, and I became hopeful again. Thanks to President Obama’s executive action, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), I am finally a second-grade dual language teacher in the Austin Independent School District.

"DACA has restored the energy and passion I once had for education. It has re-instilled the notion in me that I can make a difference. Every day in my classroom, my students serve as a reminder of the impact my teachers made in my life. I often find that my students and their parents have very similar stories to mine. Because of this, I can relate to their experiences and serve as part of their support system. In this way, I believe I can make an impact in their lives, just like my teachers made an impact in mine. If it weren’t for DACA, I would not have this opportunity to serve and contribute to my community in this capacity.”

Read the AFT’s statement about the Texas judge’s temporary injunction delaying the executive action.

Fox Business host Lisa “Kennedy” Montgomery recently suggested that we should get rid of public schools: “I mean we should really go to a system where parents of every stripe have a choice, have a say in the kind of education their kids get because,...

Fox Business host Lisa “Kennedy” Montgomery recently suggested that we should get rid of public schools: “I mean we should really go to a system where parents of every stripe have a choice, have a say in the kind of education their kids get because, when we have centralized, bureaucratic education doctrines and dogmas like this, that’s exactly what happens.”

On our Facebook page, we asked people how they would respond to this extreme idea. Read what they had to say.

Feb 22

aflcio:
“Thank you Patricia Arquette for speaking out for pay equity. Let’s pass the Paycheck Fairness Act NOW. It’s time.
Image via upworthy
”

aflcio:

Thank you Patricia Arquette for speaking out for pay equity. Let’s pass the Paycheck Fairness Act NOW. It’s time.

Image via upworthy

workingamerica:
“Just some facts from our friends at Fight for $15. http://ift.tt/1LuGkLp
”

workingamerica:

Just some facts from our friends at Fight for $15. http://ift.tt/1LuGkLp

5 Valiant GOP Efforts to Make Americans As Dumb As Possible -

(Source: beingliberal)

Feb 19

workingamerica:
“Today was a great victory for Walmart workers! Let’s keep fighting until we have $15 and fair schedules for all Walmart associates. http://ift.tt/1Aaw3Ah
”

workingamerica:

Today was a great victory for Walmart workers! Let’s keep fighting until we have $15 and fair schedules for all Walmart associates. http://ift.tt/1Aaw3Ah

think-progress:
“Oklahoma Bill Banning AP US History Would Make Students Study Ten Commandments, 3 Speeches By Reagan“An Oklahoma bill banning Advanced Placement U.S. History would also require schools to instruct students in a long list of...

think-progress:

Oklahoma Bill Banning AP US History Would Make Students Study Ten Commandments, 3 Speeches By Reagan

An Oklahoma bill banning Advanced Placement U.S. History would also require schools to instruct students in a long list of “foundational documents,” including the Ten Commandments, two sermons and three speeches by Ronald Reagan.

Follow ThinkProgress



Feb 18

“Little did I know what a huge responsibility it would be” to work in a school cafeteria.
–Charlotte Sun correspondent Debbie Flessner, pictured above left with AFT member Kat Mims in the kitchen at Peace River Elementary School in Port Charlotte,...

“Little did I know what a huge responsibility it would be” to work in a school cafeteria.

Charlotte Sun correspondent Debbie Flessner, pictured above left with AFT member Kat Mims in the kitchen at Peace River Elementary School in Port Charlotte, Fla.

The newspaper featured a splashy front-page spread that grew out of a back-to-school campaign by the Charlotte County Support Personnel Association. The newspaper’s staff writers and editors, along with other members of the community, performed the jobs of school employees for a day. They experienced the many changing demands on employees, the financial and physical constraints of school buildings, and the satisfaction of helping students achieve. One community member admitted she’d “never had a job that I couldn’t go to the bathroom when I wanted to!”

Read more about it.

(Charlotte Sun photo)

Laura Hainey (AFT-NH): Right To Work Weakens Collective Bargaining And Hurts All Workers -

Feb 14

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