PDK International and AFT Form Partnership to Support Future Educators

PDK International and American Federation of Teachers Forge New Partnership

Orlando, Florida—During the 2025 Educators Rising National Conference, PDK International (PDK) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) unveiled a significant partnership aimed at strengthening the workforce of educators through diversity, preparation, and professionalism.

This collaboration outlines several strategic initiatives:

• The AFT will motivate its affiliate bodies to leverage local, state, and federal funding to initiate or enhance Educators Rising chapters and programs within educational districts.
• The AFT endorses Educators Rising as the preferred Grow Your Own strategy for creating educational career and technical education (CTE) pathways in schools and districts.
• Annual consultations from AFT will support the ongoing development of the Educators Rising Curriculum.
• PDK will offer reduced pricing on the Educators Rising Curriculum for districts affiliated with AFT.
• PDK will provide professional development resources for AFT members.

Albert Chen, chief operating officer of PDK International, emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating, “AFT was an instrumental partner in the creation of the Educators Rising Standards that form the foundation for our Educators Rising Curriculum, which powers many district’s education career pathway programs. Today, our commitment toward public education and the cultivation of high-quality teachers continues with this strategic partnership.”

AFT, a major professional employee organization, represents 1.8 million members across all levels of education. AFT President Randi Weingarten remarked, “The students of today are the teachers of tomorrow, and there’s a deep yearning among so many high schoolers to serve and give back to the communities where they live. Students want to make a positive impact on the world, and to do that there is no more powerful profession than an educator. But they need resources and supports to achieve their dreams. Our partnership with Educators Rising provides an optimistic, inspiring vision for our current and future teachers. This partnership will expand and expose thousands more students to a career in the classroom, with the collective support of those already in the ranks.”

PDK International, which acquired the Future Educators Association in 1994 and rebranded it as Educators Rising in 2015, has invested heavily in creating a comprehensive solution for districts to develop the next generation of teachers through chapter establishment and programming.

The partnership announcement coincided with AFT President Randi Weingarten's presentation at the Educators Rising National Conference, which gathered approximately 3,500 students from middle school to college pursuing teaching careers. The conference serves as a platform for students nationwide to compete for national titles based on Educators Rising Standards, preparing them for direct school work or teaching credential acquisition post-graduation.

About PDK International

Since 1906, PDK International has supported educators, researchers, and policymakers from preschool to postsecondary levels, emphasizing a commitment to the education profession throughout their careers. PDK aims to elevate the teaching profession through a blend of research and practice, fostering excellence, service, community, optimism, and leadership. Visit www.pdkintl.org for more information.

About Educators Rising

Established in 2015 by PDK International, Educators Rising, formerly known as the Future Educators Association, guides young individuals from high school through college and into teaching careers, fostering a new generation of passionate educators. Learn more at educatorsrising.org.