It comes with great sadness that I report that John Elliott, former Detroit Federation of Teachers president, has died. He led our local from 1981 to 2001 and holds the distinction of being the first African American to serve in the post.

Brother Elliott’s career as a Detroit Public Schools teacher began in 1961. He rose through the ranks as a DFT member, a union administrative assistant in 1966, and as an executive board member and executive vice president, beginning in 1968. In 1987, he was elected to serve as Michigan AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer, making him the first African American to hold

2019-2020 Tentative Agreement and Wage Reopener

The leadership team of the DFT, Officers, Executive Board Members and Trustees, recently participated  in a retreat. Wearing "red for ed" is one way they demonstrated our union solidarity. The participants went over the roles, responsibilities and expectations of serving as leaders of the union. 

From the DFT Election Committee, here is the official list of candidates for the upcoming election of one (1) Executive Board member and three (3) Election Committee members. It is possible more names will be added to the list once the grievance process, as outlined in the 2023 Calendar is completed.

Executive Board (one vacancy)                                                                                    

• Gavin Buckley
• Stephen Conn
• Rachele Green
• Kwesi Matthews
• Kimberly L. Mitchell

Election Committee (three vacancies)

• Cheryl Constantino
• Hope Gibson
• Theodosia Gulley
• Tamika Merchant
• Jacqueline Robinson
• Queen Watkins

My name is Angela, and I’m writing to you as a high school student at Cass Tech, and a member of Congress of Communities in southwest Detroit and the 482Forward Youth Organizing Collective. You’re invited to the Grand Opening of our Youth-Led Art Exhibition: Your Brain on School, taking place Saturday, February 11th 4-8pm in southwest Detroit.

It's important for you and Detroit's educators to see how students truly experience our schools. Over 200 youth from across the city have contributed to an immersive art project highlighting the impact of stress, over-surveillance and lack of resources on

The DFT sends its congratulations to three of our members who recently received awards at the 9th annual Champions of Education, DPSCD Teachers and Leaders of the Year gala. We are proud of these union members:

• Candice Jackson, a third-grade math and science Master teacher at Mann Learning Community, Teacher of the Year Award
• N’Shan Robinson, counselor, Mumford High School , DFT Instructional Support Staff of the Year Award
• Natassia Szpaichler, ESE teacher, John R. King Academic and Performing Arts Academy, Rookie Teacher of the Year Award

This annual celebration is held by the district, in collaboration with the DPS Foundation.