Detroit Federation of Teachers

Election Committee is Sworn In

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 watch solar eclipse

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!

Posey, Wilson-Lumpkins, Weiss, Martin at town hall

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.

House bills would kill Detroit public schools and retaliate against us

Michigan House Republicans made it clear with their early morning vote that they plan to destroy Detroit’s public education system, take away the rights of educators and school staff, and bust the union. Under cover of darkness at 4 a.m. today, lawmakers passed some of the worst bills we have ever seen, all targeting the Detroit public school system—which overwhelmingly serves black and brown children.

DFT member says 'Thank you!'

When the call went out to assist DFT member Deborah Martins of Bow Elementary School, who was in urgent need of donated sick days, members answered in a generous way. Deborah wants to make sure her sincere thanks are heard:

Thank You For Your Support
My heartfelt thanks to you for being there during my time of need. My love to you and yours.
Please accept my thanks for all that you have done to help me. I appreciate you so much.
--Deborah Martins

Teacher Appreciation Gala

The DPS/DFT 2nd Annual Teacher’s Appreciation Gala will be held June 4, 2016 at the Detroit-Dearborn Doubletree Hotel from 6pm-12am. This event is to recognize our hard work and dedication to the children of Detroit Public Schools. The deadline to sign up is May 2, 2016 so don't delay.

Detroit Teacher - March 2016

News in this issue of The Detroit Teacher:

DFT Actions Are Building Momentum
We Are So Close to a Breakthrough
Retirement Guide 2016
Detroit Teacher is Michigan Counselor of the Year

and much more...[Download here].

2015-16 DPS Calendar

[Download here] the 2015-16 DPS Academic Calendar.

Settlement of 2012 Lawsuit on Evaluations and Layoffs [4.16.13]

The DFT and the DPS reached a settlement agreement [Download here] which resolved a number of disputes -- one of which was the lawsuit challenging the flawed evaluation, layoff, and recall procedures used by DPS. Approximately 422 teachers were laid off as a result of those flawed procedures, which were neither negotiated nor agreed to by the DFT.

Some of the highlights of the settlement are as follows:

Teachers who received an evaluation score that did not make them "eligible" for retention shall have those scores expunged from their permanent record.
Teachers who received a score that made them