Working Educators

Updates from our Blog:

Jun 03, 2020

Working Educators Stands with Black Lives Matter

Philly Educators Solidarity Pledge

#ParaPower Manifesto

Why I Joined Working Educators?

Over the past 25 years, I’ve seen a sharp decline in support for teachers, leaving them all alone on the front line to battle with no defense or protection...and then blaming them for the results of a broken system. A stronger union will strengthen both staff and student families!

Sharon Bryant, Formerly 5th Grade Teacher

Cassidy Elementary, 25 years

The Caucus of Working Educators were the union members I always saw on the front lines of fights to save our schools when I first started in the district. They showed me how building a strong union was deeply connected to getting my students the kind of education they deserve.

Paul Prescod, Teacher

Kensington Health Sciences Academy, 4 years

I joined WE because they give rank-and-file PFT members the tools to defend teaching as a profession and public education as an institution.

Nick Bernardini, High School Social Studies Teacher

Fels High School, 12 years

I was a welder with the Ironworkers and Transit Workers Union for over 30 years. In those unions, if the contract wasn't adhered to, work stopped. But when I came to the PFT I didn't see that happening. Working Educators will make sure that all members have a union that fights for them.

Harry Graham, CTE Welding, Ben Franklin HS

WE Candidate for PFT Executive Board CTE Rep

I've been a teacher for many years, and the one thing that remains the same is the lack of resources and support for our students. The energy of the WE Caucus has made me feel optimistic for the first time in a very long time. PFT members are uniting to support our students. It's an exciting time for us all.

Christine Arnold

Roxborough High School

I've been in the district 39 years, and I'm ready for a change. Paraprofessionals are a critical part of the school team, but we aren't treated or compensated that way. I would like to see more respect from the higher ups- both from the district and union leadership. Their expectations of paras does not match our salaries. Together we are powerful.

Joan Walton

Frankford High School

Philly Educators Solidarity Pledge

The Schools Our Students, Families, & Educators Deserve:

Lower Class Sizes for Better Learning

We need lower class size limits across all areas so that students can get the support they need, and real mechanisms to enforce these caps.

Healthy School Buildings

We need fully-functional buildings that are free and remediated from all lead, asbestos, mold, and pests, and with proper heating and cooling systems.

Wage Increases for ALL Educators

Paraprofessionals, Support Staff, Teachers, Related Service Providers, and all other school staff deserve to be paid fairly and equitably for the hard work we do every day.

Libraries, Art, Music, & PE

We need to invest in educating the whole child by ensuring that all students have access to the arts, music, and physical education.

Recruit & Retain Educators of Color

We need strong action to recruit, support, and retain teachers of color. We need paid mentorship programs for veteran teachers of color to support new teachers.

No More Concessions & Healthcare Losses

We need to stop accepting concessions and increased healthcare costs, and defend the benefits that we deserve.

End Understaffing & Contracting-Out

Every year more PFT staff are cut and replaced with non-union, contract employees. We must stop the understaffing and privatization of our schools.

The Caucus of Working Educators is an organization of PFT members who believe educators, parents, students, and allies have the power to improve our public schools.

It's Philly's turn to stand up for the schools we deserve!

Are you ready?

Updates from our Blog: