PreK-12 Members Pushing for Policy Changes
Teacher and support staff leaders gathered on Saturday for our PreK-12 Issues Conference. We first joined U-M’s Center for Labor and Community Studies to meet with experts on changes to legislation impacting public school employees. With these legislative changes comes the restoration of previously prohibited subjects such as teacher discipline and payroll deduction. AFT Michigan leaders discussed the impacts of these changes on collective bargaining and began to plan for strategies to win strong contracts at the bargaining table for their members. Local bargaining teams will reconvene at our December 2nd Bargaining Institute to continue building on Saturday’s great conversations.
A number of PreK-12 teacher leaders also joined us in Lansing last Wednesday to continue our lobbying efforts around restoring our rights to bargain teacher evaluations. Members held conversations with our allies in the House about the importance of these changes to the current evaluation system and the urgency to get them done before they leave for recess. The bills moved through testimony in the House Education committee and are slated to be voted out onto the House floor this week. Follow this link and let your legislators know we need them to vote YES on SB 395-396.
Tell Your Legislators to Fix Teacher Evaluations NOW
An ‘Army of Temps’: AFT reports on contingent faculty
A new national survey of adjunct faculty underscores the continuing crisis faced by millions of contingent workers at the nation’s colleges and universities—with little improvement to poverty wages and untenable conditions in the wake of the pandemic. The AFT’s latest “Army of Temps” report, the third in a series, documents the troubling reality faced by millions of professional educators and illustrates how adjuncts struggle with low pay, inadequate access to benefits, little or no job security, and a lack of professional respect.
Detroit Casino Workers Need a Raise
Please do not patronize the casinos while our union siblings are on strike. Updates can be found at https://www.detroitcasinocouncil.org/
AFT Nurses and Health Professionals and AFT Public Employees 2023 Professional Issues Conferences – November 16-18
Registration is still open for both the AFT Nurses and Health Professionals and the AFT Public Employees professional issues conferences. These concurrent events will be held at the Baltimore Hilton in Baltimore Nov. 16-18. The deadline for registration is Nov. 9 but don’t wait until the last minute—register now! We’re excited to see you and share ideas, learn from one another and grow as activists.
Professional Development
AFT Michigan Workshop
Saturday, November 4, 2023
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
AFT Michigan David Hecker Building
This in-service is designed to build educators’ professional repertoire of strategies for addressing school climate and communicating effectively with families to improve student achievement.
Click here to register
AFT ELearning Platform: Reading Comprehension Instruction
We’re excited to share a new online module for members on the AFT’s eLearning platform: Reading Comprehension Instruction. From Oct. 30 through Nov. 20, this 10-hour module will address how to teach reading comprehension effectively, focusing on best practices. The content is appropriate for all K-12 teachers who need help to increase their students’ comprehension of text, whether the text comes from literature or a textbook. Participants will have opportunities for interaction and engagement, including short videos, research, journaling and knowledge checks. A certificate of 10 contact hours will be provided upon full completion of the module.
Upcoming Webinar November 8: Special Education Essentials: Supporting Every Student
You’re invited to join AFT’s Share My Lesson for a free, for-credit webinar, Special Education Essentials: Supporting Every Student on Wednesday, Nov. 8, at 6 p.m. EST.
Do you know why there was a need to create a federal law to safeguard the rights of students with disabilities? How do teachers and other school personnel ensure students are receiving a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment? If you want to know the answers to these questions and others, join us for this essential webinar on special education, where we will delve into the critical foundations and practices that shape the education of students with disabilities.
Our expert presenters will guide you through the legal responsibilities outlined by the federal government, shedding light on the essential components of special education services and how they are delivered. You’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the safeguards in place to protect the rights and dignity of students with disabilities.
This first webinar in a series of four webinars will dive into practical strategies and approaches that teachers and other school personnel can employ to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment. Discover how to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities while fostering an atmosphere of diversity, equity and inclusion within your school community.
Contribute to the AFT Michigan PAC Today
AFT Michigan fights for our members, students and communities all year round and we need your help. Can you donate $1 a week to aid us in this fight? Please visit the AFT Michigan website to contribute and make a big difference in protecting public education and building a better Michigan future!
In solidarity,
Terrence Martin
President
