Fwd: News from AFT Teachers, July 2011

------Original Message------
From: Roger Glass, Editor TCHR.eNews
To:
Subject: News from AFT Teachers, July 2011
----News from AFT Teachers, July 2011----
A TEACHable moment
Thousands of classroom teachers flocked to Washington, D.C., this month for TEACH, the AFT's biennial education conference. One theme woven throughout the proceedings couldn't have been more timely or vital: Keep the voice of people who do the work inside the education decisions that affect the work
You'll find AFT president Randi Weingarten's keynote address, along with many other TEACH-related photos, videos and follow-up materials here: http://www.aft.org/teach2011.
And even though the conference is over, AFT TEACH's Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/AFTteach), Twitter feed (http://www.twitter.com/AFTteach) and website (http://www.aft.org/teach) will offer professional resources year-round.

An engaged and energized labor movement
In states across the country, educators, firefighters, police officers and other public employees have faced off with governors and state legislatures bent on rolling back the gains made by these workers. The battles have galvanized the labor movement and our allies. In late June, the We Are Ohio coalition delivered petitions with nearly 1.3 million signatures to the office of the Ohio secretary of state in support of a referendum that would give Ohioans an opportunity to repeal the state's anti-worker collective bargaining law when they vote on Nov. 8. The secretary of state has since certified the signatures on the petition, and the referendum will be on the November ballot.
Read more on AFT.org: http://www.aft.org/newspubs/news/2011/062911ohio.cfm,
and watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6VVK-wOY74

AFT Voices -
What is the number one issue affecting our country and why?
Submit your comment: http://www.aft.org/voices/submitcomment.cfm?qid=98
Read other comments: http://www.aft.org/voices/singlequestion.cfm?qid=98

Getting serious about a skilled teacher workforce
The AFT joined with the American Association of School Administrators this summer to launch a groundbreaking partnership based on their commitment to ensure a skilled teacher workforce for today's knowledge-based economy. The two organizations have adopted a framework to continuously improve the nation's teaching force, revamp teacher development and evaluation systems, and provide teachers and schools the tools and support they need. The framework is based on the principles that most successful countries use to develop and sustain a highly trained and well-supported educator workforce.
Read the joint press statement here: http://www.aft.org/newspubs/press/2011/062911.cfm

Reaching all kids
The latest MetLife Survey of the American Teacher pinpoints four elements that teachers need to reach all kids: opportunities for collaborative teaching, access to online tools that help tailor their students' education, better diagnostic tools, and instructional strategies for classrooms with many English language learners.
Learn more about the results here: http://www.aft.org/pdfs/americanteacher/at_mayjun11.pdf#page=9

AFT+ Member Benefits - Wireless Phone Service
http://www.aft.org/benefits/shopping.cfm

Join AFT on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/AFTunion
Jen Conant posted: "I don't think anyone is against cuts in the budget. But they need to be the right cuts, which don't include education, Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security. Those are straight-up attacks on working families and senior citizens."

AFT members are Making a Difference Every Day!
Second-grade teacher Jessica Villicana, from Tampa, Fla., says the joys of teaching boil down to two things: the way kids laugh and the excitement they feel when they understand something.
Watch this video to see how Jessica is making a difference every day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_koClqDt-8

The Fight for Healthcare Reform Continues

http://www.kathyskids.org Ms. Kathy's Kids Blog: http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com/ --- On Mon, 7/27/09, AFT e-Activist Network <e-activist@aft.org> wrote: From: AFT e-Activist Network <e-activist@aft.org> Subject: The Fight for Healthcare Reform Continues To: "Kathy Date: Monday, July 27, 2009, 12:59 PM The Fight for Healthcare Reform Continues Dear Kathy, Thank you to everyone who has mobilized and urged your legislators in Congress to support healthcare reform. AFT members and activists like you have generated thousands of calls to Capitol Hill. Congress is taking notice. Lawmakers are in intense debate regarding what form the final healthcare legislation will take. We need to keep up the pressure! Tomorrow, Tuesday, July 28, AFT and our allies, including HCAN (Healthcare for American Now), are having another national call-in day. The number to call is 877/264-4226. Press 1 to contact the U.S House of Representatives. When prompted, enter your 10-digit telephone number to be connected directly to your representative. Urge your member of Congress to support healthcare reform now. Make no mistake: People who prefer the status quo and oppose healthcare reform have contacted Congress, as well. We cannot let those who support killing healthcare reform to succeed. There is too much at stake. Take a moment and urge Congress to do the right thing and pass healthcare reform NOW. Thank you again. Tell-a-Friend Forward this message to your friends and colleagues so they can call Congress on July 28. If you were forwarded this message, click here to receive e-mail updates about the AFT's fight for healthcare reform.