American Federation of Teachers

Aug 20

We love our college students! But just who are they? Every year at back-to-school time, the Beloit College Mindset List clues us in with droll observations about the newest kids on campus: Freshmen who, we learn, have never licked a postage stamp,...

We love our college students! But just who are they? Every year at back-to-school time, the Beloit College Mindset List clues us in with droll observations about the newest kids on campus: Freshmen who, we learn, have never licked a postage stamp, and who were born the same year as Google. Faculty who assume they’ll remember Watergate or the Cold War will have to backtrack and explain; and remember if you mention Jacques Cousteau, Mother Teresa or Notorious B.I.G., they all died before the class of 2019 was born. Keep up, faculty! As Beloit says, “We don’t just teach courses. We teach students.”

Aug 19

think-progress:
“ As Austerity Hits Puerto Rico, Students Pay The Price SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO — Earlier this year, social work student Coraly León arrived at her research assistant job at the University of Puerto Rico to find her salary abruptly cut...

think-progress:

As Austerity Hits Puerto Rico, Students Pay The Price

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO — Earlier this year, social work student Coraly León arrived at her research assistant job at the University of Puerto Rico to find her salary abruptly cut in half due to budget cuts. “Not only do I have to find another job in order to support myself,” she told ThinkProgress, “but I still have to somehow complete my required 25 volunteer hours a week in order to graduate, on top of my research assistant work, on top of studying, on top of being an activist. I really don’t know if I can go on like this.”

Aug 13

It’s hard to miss the rumble out in Wisconsin: The battle between labor and its union-bashing foes has been loud and long. But for faculty and staff of public colleges and universities, the Wisconsin story is even worse. In addition to killing...

It’s hard to miss the rumble out in Wisconsin: The battle between labor and its union-bashing foes has been loud and long. But for faculty and staff of public colleges and universities, the Wisconsin story is even worse. In addition to killing collective bargaining, targeting the union with right-to-work laws and crippling the state with trickle-down economics, Gov. Scott Walker has eviscerated the budget for state colleges and universities, weakened tenure and stripped shared governance from faculty. Many fear that top faculty will flee the state and threaten the reputation of one of the country’s leading university systems. Read more about the threats and what AFT members are doing to fight back. [photo by Mike De Sisti, @2015 Journal Sentinel, Inc.]

Aug 11

humansofnewyork:
“  “I was never educated because I began working when I was a child. I was always envious of the boys who got to wear uniforms and go to school. This is her first month of school. She comes home and tells me exactly what happened,...

humansofnewyork:

“I was never educated because I began working when I was a child. I was always envious of the boys who got to wear uniforms and go to school. This is her first month of school. She comes home and tells me exactly what happened, everyday. I love it. If I’m not home for a few days, she’ll save up all her stories, then tell them to me all at once.”

(Lahore, Pakistan)

(via humansofnewyork)

Aug 10

think-progress:
“ The Stark Difference Between The U.S. And Europe Over Police Violence
”

think-progress:

The Stark Difference Between The U.S. And Europe Over Police Violence

Jul 29

A gift of reading to honor Special Olympians To celebrate the U.S. delegation to the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, the AFT joined partners First Book and Coca-Cola on July 27 in announcing the donation of a 50-book collection to...

A gift of reading to honor Special Olympians

To celebrate the U.S. delegation to the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, the AFT joined partners First Book and Coca-Cola on July 27 in announcing the donation of a 50-book collection to the adaptive physical education department of the Los Angeles Unified School District. AFT Vice President Kathy Chavez (center right), a former special education bus driver and paraprofessional, joined the Special Olympics cheerleading squad from Michigan, along with the AFT’s partners, two representatives from the school district and the Special Olympics’ head of delegation. The curated book collection features titles focused on the values of the game, including diversity, inclusion, overcoming adversity, athletic excellence, hard work and persistence.

Jul 27

AFT member Maria Dominguez is an immigration success story. She’s also a perfect example of why the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, that President Obama announced three years ago has been such an important step in helping...

AFT member Maria Dominguez is an immigration success story. She’s also a perfect example of why the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, that President Obama announced three years ago has been such an important step in helping hardworking undocumented immigrants pursue the American dream. Dominguez, a first-grade bilingual teacher and an Education Austin activist, is one of nine teachers and community role models who were recognized on July 24 at the White House as a Champion of Change. Read more about Maria. (Photo by Pam Wolfe.)

Jul 23

think-progress:
“Despite widespread belief to the contrary, no federal law explicitly protects LGBT people from discrimination. Thursday marks the introduction of The Equality Act, a comprehensive bill that would, if passed, add “sexual orientation”...

think-progress:

Despite widespread belief to the contrary, no federal law explicitly protects LGBT people from discrimination. Thursday marks the introduction of The Equality Act, a comprehensive bill that would, if passed, add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the protections that already exist based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. But it also would do more than that.

The legislation, introduced by Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) is an update to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that increases its protections for many Americans beyond the LGBT community as well. Here’s a look at how The Equality Act earns its name:

LGBT People couldn’t be fired, evicted, or denied service for who they are

Jul 20

[video]

Jul 17

Read more about the checklist.

Read more about the checklist.