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AFT TEACH Daily: July 21, 2023
Weingarten launches new campaign: ‘Real Solutions for Kids and Communities’
The AFT has always been a solutions-driven union, and our new campaign, launched during TEACH on July 21, proves it once again with a fresh, practical approach to strengthening public education. As AFT President Randi Weingarten pointed out during her keynote speech, the $5 million, yearlong campaign, “Real Solutions for Kids and Communities,” stands up against attacks on public schools and offers real-world solutions to build up, rather than break down, our communities.
Strengthening educators to strengthen the union
When unions offer professional development, it does so much more than build capacity. It improves teaching and learning conditions; it builds relationships with administrations and communities; and it creates a stronger union.
Supporting literacy development for English language learners
Nearly all students experienced learning and achievement gaps because of COVID-19, but some of the most impacted were English language learners. How can educators help these students get back on track and better support their language and literacy development? This was the focus of the opening day TEACH workshop “Expanding Literacy Instruction by Tutoring English Learners: Project ELITE.”
The power of identity and empathy inside and outside the classroom
Two principals from two schools in Israel—as part of the Hand in Hand program bringing Jewish and Arab students and teachers together in a multicultural setting—shared their incredible experience and tactics for getting students to explore their own identities and promote radical empathy. Efrat Meyer and Mohammad Kundos led an amazing and cathartic workshop that left participants feeling empowered and enriched.
What local leaders can do to support student literacy
Despite the science of reading being clear—and despite decades of the AFT sharing that science—for too long, many state and local policies on reading instruction have promoted less-effective practices. During the workshop “Literacy for Leaders: What Locals Can Do to Support Student Literacy” at AFT TEACH, a state union leader and the Albert Shanker Institute presented research on teaching reading and a new analysis of recent state laws on literacy.
Empowering educators to use their voice
Friday’s workshop on elevating educator voice in education policy gave an energetic group of educators a road map to champion honest education. The workshop was led by Gerardo Muñoz, the 2021 Colorado Teacher of the Year, and Takeru “TK” Nagayoshi, the 2020 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. This event ignited a fire within educators to stand up and speak out for the students they serve.
With teachers in charge, schools meet more needs, more effectively
What happens when teachers are in charge? Great things: Teacher retention goes up; student performance goes up; and community involvement goes up. That’s according to data presented in “Teachers at the Helm: When Teachers Run Schools,” one of the Lunch & Learn sessions at the AFT TEACH conference.
Watch, read and share
- Watch the TEACH livestream.
- Follow @AFTteach and #TEACH23 on Twitter.
- View photos on our Facebook album.