Working Educators is a group of educators, parents, and communities working to take defense of public education into our own hands. We know what our schools need, and we have the power to stand up for our schools by influencing the upcoming May primary elections for Mayor, City Council, and Judicial seats.

Whether you're new to the political world or an experienced campaigner, we need you! We're hoping to have vocal educators and allies at EVERY candidate forum happening over the next few months. 

Not sure what to say? Don't worry! Below you will find a script our Political Committee has put together that will make every candidate aware of our power. And there are printable copies for all of your friends, too.

You will find a list below of all the forums. Please sign-up for which forum you plan on attending, so that we can make sure all forums are covered and be in touch about strategy.

Sign up here to let us know which forums you plan on attending.

Want to get more involved in WE's political work to stand up for public education this election? Email [email protected] for more ways to get involved.

(WE members pose with Council Candidates Helen Gym and Kristin Combs at a WE Happy Hour)

1) Political Script for Caucus Members

STEP #1: Look up your ward and division for both your home and your school: https://www.pavoterservices.state.pa.us/Pages/PollingPlaceInfo.aspx

And your ward leader: http://www.seventy.org/tools/ward-leaders-committeepeople/democratic-party

STEP #2: Fill out your intro script for your questions:                                  

Hi my name is _______________________ and I am a member of the Caucus of Working Educators, a rank-and-file caucus within the PFT. I am a registered voter in the  __________ Ward, _________ Division. My Ward leader is ________________________. If you are an educator: I also teach at _______________________ , which is in the ___________ Ward, ___________ Division. 

STEP #3: Ask away!

• Did you attend public school? Do you have any children? Did/Do they attend Philadelphia public, parochial, or charter schools? (Follow up with a why or why not question.)

• Lack of funding from Harrisburg is a perpetual issue for the district. As the mayor/councilperson, however, you have the power to raise revenues from within Philadelphia itself. How would you go about this? (Follow up with questions about the 10 year tax abatement, PILOT payments from universities, raising the Use and Occupancy tax, Comcast tax breaks, etc.)

• As you are most likely aware, many teachers – especially younger ones – haven’t been given their contractual step raises for nearly 3 years now. How would you help solve the contract impasse between the PFT and the District? How would you help to retain talented teachers within the district? (Follow up with a personal example of how much you have already sacrificed out of your salary.)

• The mayor has the ability to appoint members to the SRC. Do you have any specific individuals in mind who you would like to see selected for such an important position? (This question would inadvertently gauge if the candidate is aware of the local control issue while also seeing if they personally know any public education advocates within the city.)

• City council recently passed a resolution unanimously asking for the SRC to examine its use of standardized tests. What role do you believe standardized tests have in measuring the growth of a student? In measuring the effectiveness of a teacher? (This question should be able to tell you how familiar a candidate is with the Opt Out movement. If they aren’t familiar with it, follow up!)

2) Candidate Forums Calendar & Primary Election Timeline

Click here to sign up here to attend a forum (or more than one!). We’ll send a reminder!  

• Tuesday, 3/3 - PennFuture Next Great City's Mayoral Candidates Forum // 6 PM // Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch Street

• Saturday, 3/7 - Working Families Candidate Forum // 10 AM -2 PM // Arch St. United Methodist Church, 55 N. Broad Street

• Tuesday, 3/10 - Philly ADA Mayoral Forum // 7 - 9 PM // The Friend’s Center (1501 Cherry St. - MLK Room)

March 10       Last day to circulate and file nomination petitions

March 11       First day to circulate and file nomination papers

• Wednesday, 3/18 - PFT District City Council Candidates (Members only) // 4:15 PM // Sheet Metal Workers' Union Hall, 1301 South Columbus Blvd

• Wednesday, 3/18  - Food Policy Mayoral Forum // 7 PM  // Free Library Skyline Room, 1901 Vine St.

• Thursday, 3/19 - Bicycle Coalition Better Mobility Forum // 6 PM // Friends Center (1501 Cherry St)

• Monday, 3/23 - PFT City Council At-Large Candidates Forum (Members Only) // 4:15 PM // Sheet Metal Workers' Union Hall, 1301 South Columbus Blvd

• Tuesday, 3/24 - Mayoral Candidates Education Forum (Questions sent in advance) // 6:30 PM // G.W. Childs School, 1599 Wharton St.

March 25         Last day for withdrawal by candidates who filed nomination petitions

• Monday, 3/30 - - In Conversation with Philadelphia: Al Dia News Mayoral Forum // 5 - 8 PM // 30 S. 15th St., 15th Floor

• Wednesday, 4/1 - PACDC Mayoral Forum for Equitable Development // 5:30 PM  // Temple University's SERC - 12th & Berks

• Monday, 4/20 - Philly Tech Week Mayoral Forum // 6 PM // Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St.

• Wednesday, 4/22 - Northern Liberties Mayoral Forum // 7 PM // 841 N. American St.

April 20       Last day for voters to REGISTER before the primary

May 19            MUNICIPAL PRIMARY!

Click here to download both of these flyers in a printable and shareable format.

Don't forget to sign up to attend a political forum, so that we can keep in touch! 

(WE Political Committee members Luigi Borda and George Bezanis talk public education with Mayoral Candidate Jim Kenney at a WE Happy Hour)