AFT President Weingarten Advocates for Strengthening Public Education

Union President Advocates for Enhanced Public Education Amidst Funding Challenges

WASHINGTON—Randi Weingarten, the President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), addressed a significant assembly of 2,000 educators at the TEACH conference, presenting a strategic vision for the future of public education. Her plan emphasizes the importance of creating safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environments.

In an insightful keynote speech, Weingarten encouraged educators to reflect on recent challenges and promoted a proactive approach to education that counters negative shifts from Congress and the current administration. She emphasized the critical role of public schools in fostering the American dream and preparing young people for life beyond the classroom.

Weingarten highlighted the Trump administration's recent decision to release over $5 billion in K-12 education funding, a result of persistent lobbying, legal actions, and advocacy demonstrating the importance of these funds for students.

Her blueprint for enhancing public education involves three key strategies: expanding community schools, strengthening literacy and communication skills, and promoting project-based and experiential learning. She advocates for national initiatives that support career and technical education (CTE) and the development of educators' skills, particularly in leveraging artificial intelligence.

“The strategies we’re advocating … are not shiny new objects, they’re just good ideas that help kids succeed. And they need to be scaled and resourced,” Weingarten stated.

Weingarten expressed concerns about the current threats to education posed by misinformation and the promotion of private school vouchers. She argued that these challenges undermine efforts to teach critical thinking and pluralism, essential components of a diverse and educated society.

She stressed that safe and welcoming educational environments are foundational for student success, highlighting issues such as gun violence, mental health concerns, and immigration challenges that compromise the safety of many schools today.

Weingarten underscored the importance of engaging and relevant educational practices, like project-based learning, that equip students with problem-solving skills and the ability to apply knowledge to real-world scenarios. CTE programs exemplify this approach, with high graduation and college attendance rates among participants.

Reading, writing, and oral communication are essential skills that the AFT has supported through initiatives like Reading Opens the World, which has distributed 10 million books over the past decade.

In her forthcoming book, Why Fascists Fear Teachers, Weingarten examines the dangers of undermining knowledge and pluralism and outlines strategies to defend critical thinking and democratic values. The book will be available on September 16.

Weingarten concluded with a call to action, rallying educators to continue advocating for public education, community support, and democratic principles: “None of us asked for this fight, but fight we must. For our students. For public education. For our colleges. For our communities. For freedom and democracy. For affordability and opportunity. For dignity. For a better life for all.”

The TEACH conference, a professional development event organized by the AFT, features notable speakers including Sen. Mazie Hirono and educators like Cornelius Minor. The conference offers over 70 sessions, providing educators with resources to enhance student learning and opportunities for collaboration.

Weingarten’s full speech is available here. Livestreams of the TEACH general sessions can be accessed daily on the AFT’s YouTube channel, Facebook page, and official website.

For interviews with Weingarten or other AFT leaders, contact aftpress@aft.org.

Note: The AFT represents a diverse membership of 1.8 million, including teachers, paraprofessionals, higher education staff, government employees, healthcare workers, and early childhood educators.

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