A reminder that the first AFT-Maryland Lobby Night in Annapolis will be Monday, January 29th. Buses leave the BTU at 5:15 pm. People wanting a seat on that bus will need to RSVP with Todd Reynolds—either via phone (443-320-4719) or treynolds@aftmd.org by Friday, Jan. 26th.
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The Chair of the Kirwan Commission announced that he does not expect final recommendations from the Commission until after the 2018 session. However, there are still at least 3 commission meetings before the session begins, and the commission will issue at least a preliminary report to the 2018 state legislature. We are still hoping to push for our priorities on equitable and effective funding *this coming session*.
If the GOP’s tax plan passes, not only will it be bad for Maryland (taxes on a large portion of people in our state will go up to offset/pay for tax breaks for corporations), it will be bad for education professionals specifically because it removes the tax deductions we get for purchasing supplies for our schools.
The containers of supplies collected by OCCTA and wonderful partners and contributors have arrived in San Juan! They are being delivered to our sister union, Asociación de Maestros de Puerto Rico. Shout out to our friend and partner from CASA, Jimmy Torres-Vélez!
(Shreveport – November 18, 2017) Nine local chapters of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers today received the Union Values in Action Award for improving the lives of members, enhancing the influence of the union and advancing the mission of public education.
(Shreveport – November 19, 2017) State Senator Dan “Blade” Morrish and Representative Sam L. Jenkins were named the Louisiana Federation of Teachers’ Senator and Representative of the Year today at the LFT’s 53rd annual convention in Shreveport. The lawmakers were honored for their commitment to public education and the teachers and school employees who dedicate their careers to the children of our state.
(Shreveport – November 18, 2017) Jefferson Parish paraprofessional Laura Harper and Caddo Parish teacher Mike Myers today received Pioneer Awards from the Louisiana Federation of Teachers. The award is presented annually to individuals who, over the years, made major contributions to the growth and influence of the LFT.
State Representative Patricia Haynes Smith has been named the Louisiana Federation of Teachers’ Friend of Education for 2017. The Friend of Education Award is the highest honor that the Louisiana Federation of Teachers bestows on non-members of the union. It is presented to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to public education.
John Hunter Berry, an eighth grade student at Caddo Middle Magnet School in Shreveport, is the designer of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers’ 2017 holiday greeting card. John’s teacher is Erin Sitten.
Delegates to the 53rd annual Louisiana Federation of Teachers convention cheered news of the union’s biggest growth spurt, honored legislators and union leaders for their dedication to public education, were buoyed by keynote addresses from nationally recognized speakers, and were inspired by a best-selling author whose work with disadvantaged children became a popular motion picture.
