Four Election Committee members were sworn in at the April General Membership Meeting. Serving a two year term will be Onza Stokes, Laura Watts, Devette Brown and Julia Hunko. We thank these members for their service to the members of the DFT. Executive Vice President, Jason Posey, looks on. Be sure to say hello to Election Committee when you sign in at the May General Membership meeting.
Marcus Garvey Students Watching the Eclipse
The solar eclipse came at the end of the school day, just in time for these Marcus Garvey students to put on their special glasses and mask to watch as the moon passed over the sun. Students across the city were doing the same. It was an astronomical event for all of us!
DFT Leadership Participates in Town Hall Meeting
At a town hall hosted by State Representative, Regina Weiss, three of our leaders attended the forum: DFT Executive Vice President, Jason Posey, DFT President, Lakia Wilson-Lunmpkins, and AFT Michigan President, Terrence Martin. Many union members were in attendance to listen to the information.
US Senate Candidate Addresses the Membership
.A candidate for the US Senate from Michigan, Hil Harper, came before the DFT General Membership meeting in April to ask for an endorsement by the union. He spoke to members about his support for unions, being a card-carrying member of one himself, as well as the reasons he would like our support in the upcoming August primary. The union will be hosting other candidates who are also seeking our endorsements.
WHAT'S NEW: DFT Talks Teacher Shortage on CNBC
Our Donavon Gardner and Terrence Martin talk about American's teacher shortage challenge.
WHAT'S NEW: Council of Baptist Pastors, Detroit and Vicinity Salute Detroit Teachers
Council of Baptist Pastors President Rev. Dee Dee Coleman and DFT President Ivy Bailey celebrated Teachers Appreciation Day during a special service held at Russell Street Baptist Church on May 30.
WHAT'S NEW: Proposed Educator Certification Model
The Michigan Department of Education, Office of Professional Preparation Services requests your feedback on a proposed structure for the future of Michigan teacher certification.
Please click the Web link below to view a short video explaining the proposed certificate structure and a link to the survey. Your perspective is extremely important to us
Our teachers class action grievance was settled on April 22, 2017. If your name is on the following list, please contact Ivy Bailey, DFT president, at 313-875-3500:
WHAT'S NEW: DFT Executive Board elects to continue contract negotiations with DPSCD
DFT Members:
On May 15, our Executive Board rejected a tentative contract agreement with DPSCD. I wanted to share my statement with you:
"We've continually stated what's best for educators is best for students. The executive board felt that the tentative agreement doesn't move DPSCD forward and place our students first. We want to continue negotiations."
--Ivy
WHAT'S NEW: Call your legislators & tell them to protect teacher pensions
Republicans in Lansing are getting ready to launch a new round of attacks on working families next week, and we need to start fighting back right now.
These new bills are being pushed by the billionaire DeVos family to destroy pensions for newly-hired teachers, librarians, and bus drivers.
