Does it really matter if students read only brief texts & excerpts, and no whole books? In a new piece in American Educator, I argue that it does--a LOT. And I offer ideas that can enable kids to get the valuable experience of, e.g., reading novels as a whole class. www.aft.org/ae/winter202...

Why it's important for kids to read whole books--plus why what happened in Mississippi isn't a "miracle" but evidence that science-aligned teaching can lead to dramatic improvements. So can having kids read whole books. My latest post on Minding the Gap: nataliewexler.substack.com/p/reading-wh...

The Illusion of Performance is now in American Educator @carlhendrick.substack.com Jim Heal @lisahansel.bsky.social For a 15% discount on the book visit go.aft.org/u2x and use the code InstructionalIllusions15 by March 31, 2026.https://www.aft.org/ae/winter2025-2026/kirschner_hendrick_heal

“No one is going to save us but ourselves.” — @rweingarten.bsky.social #NoKings

“We in the labor movement are fighting for democracy and a voice in it so we can secure a better life for all working people.” — @rweingarten.bsky.social #NoKings

No crowns, no loyalty oaths, no tyrants — just democracy and great outfits. 😜 #NoKings #WeThePeople

We couldn’t say it better ourselves. 🇺🇸 #NoKings

Happy #NoKings Day, Washington, DC!

@rweingarten.bsky.social is here at #NoKings!

We have folks from across the state, across generations, to stand up for our democracy. We love to see it. #NoKings

We’re excited to be in Tallahassee with AFT Secretary-Treasurer Fed Ingram to stand up for our democracy. Thank you everyone for turning out today! #NoKings 🇺🇸

We know that education is a pillar of democracy - and we’re glad to see Tallahassee families agree. Thank you Fed for speaking truth to power. #NoKings

Imagine pardoning people who stormed the Capitol and assaulted police officers on January 6 but trying to depict this as scary?! @local802.bsky.social Have a fun, peaceful, and empowering day with your community, everyone! #NoKings

Looking good, Florida! Incredible, peaceful crowd here at the capital for #NoKings

NO KINGS!

The harm is real: Black workers pushed out of jobs, HBCUs stripped of resources, Black mothers and fathers denied healthcare, and neighborhoods left without protection from floods, asthma, or poisoned water. 📖 Read the full Blackout Report now. #BlackoutReport #OnyxImpact

Solidarity with striking workers at Kaiser! ✊

When a judge orders someone freed from Central Booking, the State unconstitutionally detains them for many hours, and sometimes days, after reviewing the court order. We are fighting to end illegal overdetention. Great story in the @baltimoresun.bsky.social: www.baltimoresun.com/2025/10/14/l...

October 14, 2025

Economic inequality doesn’t just hurt individuals—it fuels societal polarization, distrust in institutions and democratic backsliding. In Fall ’25 #AFTHealthCare, Eli G. Rau and Susan Stokes show how we can fight back to #defenddemocracy. www.aft.org/hc/fall2025/...

Make your plans for #NoKings. This Saturday, October 18th. Free speech is action. Protestors believe that action has meaning. Protestors are exercising the rights enshrined in the Constitution. For me, protest is about love of country. I'll be there. Please join in. www.nokings.org

Kaiser used to stand for excellence in healthcare. Now executives are proposing cuts that mean longer waits and shorter visits. Safe staffing = safe care. 📩 Send a letter to Kaiser CEO Greg Adams and demand he protect our care: actionnetwork.org/letters/an-o...

Why Fascists Fear Teachers is officially a NYT Best Seller. Thank you to everyone reading this book. It’s both a warning about the life we can lose and a testament to the teachers trying to help young people and their families have a good life.

Zelensky started out as a comedian. Maybe Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert and others who have been forced out of their jobs — By these efforts to silence critics— Should run for president. Or any other office. youtu.be/JUK7RKIlyXA

"Neoliberalism’s policy agenda also led to the gradual, systematic privatization of public higher education, increasingly placing the cost of public higher education on the backs of students and their families." -Neil Kraus, professor of poli sci + pre-law advisor & president of AFT Local 6504

We need a mass movement committed to nonviolence, dignity and the defense of our democratic values. Read @rweingarten.bsky.social’s latest NY Times column: www.aft.org/column/takin...

New #AmericanEducator on how to protect democracy & education through investing in public schools and communities, providing flexible & meaningful experiential learning, & cultivating connection that strengthens our social solidarity: www.aft.org/ae/summer2025

NO KINGS IN BALTIMORE!

Hansel Law at Baltimore Pride! Happy Pride ya'lll!!!

Ruff House Juneteenth Celebration with one of my heroes, Delegate Malcolm Ruff!

Thank you to everyone who joined the #NoKings actions across the country today. Together, we stood for our communities and our democracy, in peaceful, powerful protest. Check out this video from the Philadelphia rally, & tag us in your photos & videos so we can lift them up. 🇺🇸

Millions of people at over 2,000 events across the country are saying they believe in our democracy & are willing to fight for it peacefully. #NoKings bsky.app/profile/soci...

Great turnout at #NoKings in #Baltimore! With the #Pride parade earlier today, the city is rising up!! @aft.org @caryhansel.bsky.social

It’s a beautiful (rainy) day here in Philadelphia to rally for our rights and our communities. So thankful I could be here today. #NoKings bsky.app/profile/aft....

There’s nothing more adorable than a little round and irresistibly charming saw-whet owl. Photo©: maxime_lv photography #owl #Nature

Donald Trump's bill hands trillions in tax breaks to billionaires—while gutting the services working families rely on. Here are the top 10 things you need to know.

Trump acts like his rule is absolute, but this country doesn’t belong to a king. On June 14, we’re coming together to send a clear message: No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings. Find a #NoKings event near you: go.aft.org/nokings

There is a war on knowledge—and teachers are on the frontlines. I wrote Why Fascists Fear Teachers to answer the question many educators & parents are asking right now: Why the relentless attacks on public schools and on educators? It’s my first book!! You can pre-order it here: www.aft.org/book

Nurses clock in every day to help patients recover and to keep their communities healthy. This #NationalNursesDay, let's honor our healthcare professionals with action and call on our lawmakers to ensure safe staffing and safe workplaces for all. #CodeRed @afthealthcare.bsky.social

It’s Teacher Appreciation Week! This week—and every week—we celebrate educators who do more than teach. They fight for their students, uplift their communities, and defend the future of public education.

I taught AP Gov in a CTE school where students trained for nursing careers, debated the Constitution & won nationals. Across the US, I’ve seen how CTE programs can prepare all students for a variety of careers and fulfilling lives. Read more via @nytimes: www.nytimes.com/2025/05/06/o...

Nothing important here. Just a publicly-traded company disclosing to investors that it’s attempting to bribe the President of the United States by buying his cryptocurrency in order to influence his trade policy.

#MayDayStrong with Lisa and Annette at her first protest sporting a custom hat she made!

Great #MayDayStrong rally in West Palm Beach with my mother, husband and 200+ Floridians dedicated to #democracy. This was my mom's first protest! @aft.org @aflcio.org

It's only been 100 days and already, Trump is breaking his promises to the American people - slashing funding for public and higher education, cutting millions of jobs, and tanking the economy. This is a failure of leadership. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/29/u...

Why are #CHWs so effective? They promote wellness & increase healthcare access—& Maggie Dante of Magaly Dante writes that their lived experiences help them connect with clients & facilitate culturally competent care. #AFTHealthCare www.aft.org/hc/spring202...

🎈💥It’s our pleasure to disrupt your regular Monday drudgery to commemorate the 1st anniversary of @ekkoastral.bsky.social’s widely-acclaimed debut album with the release of 'pink balloons: popped' today— a deluxe CD version feat. remix tracks by dear collaborators here: www.topshelfrecords.com/287 💿

The White House needs to understand: Teachers are their union. It's how we collectively have a voice. When you attack unions, you attack teachers. When you leave us out of the conversation, you ignore teachers voice.

In the spring issue of #AmericanEducator, R. J. R. Blair & Daniel T. Willingham describe the small percentage of youth who reach clinical levels of aggression and how educators can become advocates for them to get the mental health services they need. Read more: www.aft.org/ae/winter202...

As Congress works to help poor kids, kids with disabilities, first generation college kids, kids who want to work in a trade, and 45 million Americans with student debt, this president is destroying that promise for this and future generations. @rweingarten.bsky.social www.salon.com/2025/04/21/t...