QUOLKE’S CORNER #52
AFT PRESIDENT VISITS CLEVELAND
On Tuesday, January 12 our American Federation of Teachers President, Randi Weingartner delivered a major speech at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. In this speech she unveiled a “serious and comprehensive reform plan to ensure great teaching, taking on systems that have been ingrained in public education for more than a century.” I have read the speech and I encourage you to do the same. You can read or watch the speech at www.aft.org. Randi is a dynamic speaker and the proposals in this speech are not only national topics of education discussion, but are the issues that we are facing right here in Cleveland.
Randi Weingarten will be making many visits across the country to discuss her proposals. I am excited to say that her first stop will be right here in Cleveland on Friday, January 15. This is not only an honor, but also an exciting opportunity. Randi, staff from the American Federation of Teachers, MaryAnn Fredrick, and I will be visiting 3 schools January 15 where Randi will have the opportunity to talk to staff members about her proposals and the CMSD proposed transformation plan.
Randi’s four proposals center on a new template for teacher development and evaluation; a fresh approach to due process for teacher misconduct cases; giving teachers what they need to succeed; and strong labor-management relationships. Randi wants to discuss with our members and our Officers how to “turn these proposals into a reality so that teachers have the tools, time, and trust they need to be great educators.”
I will have much more to tell you after the visit.
In Union,
David