“I have been teaching literature, philosophy, and creative writing and filmmaking to undergrads at Berkeley and Davis for ten years and I still have no protection from being laid off and have to reapply for my job every year. More than ever, students need to learn to tell their stories and express their thoughts to each other, to the world, and to our leaders who are making decisions for them. When the UC denies me job security, they hurt my ability to reach these students and help send them into the world inspired and prepared to meet the challenges ahead of them.” – David Walter, English Department, UC Berkeley and UC Davis

 

 

“I’ve been an ecologist and conservationist for over 25 years. I have shared that experience with 1000s of students I teach at UCLA. More and more, they want to learn everything they can about what we can all do, as individuals and as a society, to ensure this planet remains livable. Without job security, I would lose the opportunity to mentor them during this very important time in their life paths, and I wouldn't be able to afford to keep a roof over my son’s head.” – Alison Lipman, Dept. of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, UCLA

 

Follow on Twitter @ucaft, Facebook @ucaft, Instagram @uc_aft, and use #WeTeachUC.

“I am the only income-earner for my family at the moment and pay 75% of my check to our rent. Currently I specialize in developing and teaching university-community engagement programs: bilingual education; legal aid and advocacy; community research. Without job security, programs like these are always at risk of losing the lecturers who make them work. In our community, that means cascading displacement and disaster: losing more place-based knowledge (the people) and community infrastructure - our shelter and networks.” —Leslie Lopez, Community Studies Program, UCSC

 

“I have lost track of how many students I’ve taught at UCLA and UCSB in 6 different departments since 2015. Whether we teach one class a year or a full load, at one campus or multiple, lecturers perform the heavy lifting of the university. In Ethnic Studies in particular we don’t just teach and grade: we guide, mentor, and empower.” —Jean-Paul R. Contreras deGuzman, Asian American Studies, UCLA and UCSB

 

Follow on Twitter @ucaft, Facebook @ucaft, Instagram @uc_aft, and use #WeTeachUC.

'Buddy Project' helps students and their undergrad mentors weather pandemic

The St. Lawrence County People Project has developed a new program teaming area undergrads with K-12 students.

“The Buddy Project,” offers free, weekly mentoring, tutoring or specific skills training, such as language lessons, music lessons or yoga. A coalition of leaders and students, in collaboration with the county Youth Bureau, developed the plan to provide support to youths in a COVID-19 safe way.
 

The free program is open to all K-12 students within St. Lawrence County. Undergraduates from St. Lawrence University, SUNY Canton and SUNY Potsdam are available to support local youth. Read more here.

 

AFT-NH Legislative Bulletin, 2021-11

March 14, 2021 ~ Bow, NH

Watching the snow fall and listening to the wind howl today, just a few days after we had temps in the 60s with bright sunshine.  Ah, welcome to March in New Hampshire!

Senate Voucher bill. Our biggest story continues to be SB 130, the Senate version of the “voucher” bill shelved in the NH House.  This past week, the Senate Education Committee voted along party lines to send SB 130 to the Senate for a vote on this coming Thursday, March 18.  As explained below, SB 130 has been amended, but the effect is akin to putting lipstick on a pig—it is still a pig.  And so, please contact your NH senator, whether Republican or Democrat, and urge her/him to vote against this giveaway of tax dollars which will result in raising your property taxes. 

Click the link and Tell your State Senator to OPPOSE Senate Bill 30. No to vouchers

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Meet NEW U.S. Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona

Dr. Miguel Cardona was installed as the 12th U.S. Secretary of Education on March 2, 2021 replacing Betsy DeVos who served in the same role for four years prior. Nominated to serve by Joseph R. Biden (the newly elected 46th President of the United States), Dr. Cardona has extensive experience in all facets of public education in the United States.

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Campaigns

Photo of solar panels

Greening Schools Initiative

America’s public schools have substantial environmental footprints. Schools use large amounts of energy, land, transportation, and food. Our public schools have an incredible opportunity to be centers of resiliency for students and families and to provide a more sustainable future.

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Photo of young people at climate protest

Pathways to Green Collar Jobs

Investments in schools can accelerate the transition to a clean economy, empower youth to access green jobs and build long-lasting change to advance a more sustainable, resilient and equitable society. Educators are unleashing the creativity of our students and giving them the skills to solve the climate crisis that provide pathways to good union jobs.

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Photo of young protestor. Sign reads: Stop Climate Change Now!

PreK-12 Curriculum

The AFT’s Share My Lesson has compiled an amazing collection of lesson plans and resources for educators addressing climate change.

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Photo of speech in front of Capitol building

Federal Climate Legislation

We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to pass bold legislation that will create millions of good union jobs for a green economy that helps save our planet. We are amplifying our voices and taking action together.

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Photo of young protestors. Sign reads: Don't be a Fossil Fool

Greening AFT Pensions

AFT members’ pension funds have an estimated $114 billion invested in fossil fuels. Fossil fuels don’t just harm the environment—they create risk in our pension investments. We can take action to make our pensions more sustainable and ensure that our retirement savings are being invested in ways that help address climate change.

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