AFT- Be Informed!

Last week I was able to hear AFT President Randi Weingarten speak at the gala celebration of the Teacher of the Year program in Washington.  She urged us to "support legislation sponsored by U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin and U.S. Rep. George Miller  that would provide $23 billion to help school districts avoid layoffs, and would preserve the quality of education in our schools and on our college campuses."  Randi warned us that the number of educators who might be pink-slipped in the fall is nearly equal to the population of Toledo, Ohio! You can support this effort by wearing a pink heart on May 4.
http://www.pinkheartsnotpinkslips.com/
This morning I had the honor of speaking at the AFT MA Annual Convention.  I thank them for honoring me with a lovely plaque but truth be told I am honored to know that the AFT is unbending in their goal to support only the changes that in the long run will be good for children.
The day was yet another reminder of all the teachers committed to the preservation of quality education.   President Tom Gosnell reminded us that although many allege that collective bargaining agreements and unions impede student achievement, students in Massachusetts  (a state with collective bargaining) scored number one in the nation on the NAEP tests.  So, he asked, How is it that the unions have been accused of getting in the way of progress in closing the achievement gap?"
Be informed!   Speak up!  Use your voice to advocate for your students and colleagues!