Ahead of Independence Day, @rweingarten.bsky.social reminds us that this is OUR country. We were founded on a radical notion — that we the people are in charge, and we're still in charge — and it's we the people who must keep the promise of America alive for future generations. youtu.be/PRGiSyCe-yk

Public schools support students year-round. This week's #PublicSchoolProud stories celebrate educators and school staff helping children thrive—from ensuring families have access to summer meals to strengthening literacy and creating classrooms where students can do their best learning.

📣 BREAKING (GOOD) NEWS!‼️ The 2024 lawsuit against Rutgers AAUP-AFT, Rutgers Adjunct Faculty Union, AAUP-BHSNJ, AFTNJ, and AFT over the 2023 faculty strike was dismissed with prejudice—affirming public sector unions’ rights to free speech & collective action. Press release: https://loom.ly/xVmkrVA

Great news from our Rutgers AAUP family. @ruaaup-ptl.bsky.social @ruaaup-aft.bsky.social

“My students are doing some of the most amazing things at a high school level. If anyone came in here, and they saw what any of these high school kids were doing, they’d be blown away,” says teacher Donald Mattoon. #CTE

Budgets reveal what leaders value. This year's budget makes one thing clear: students and working families are not at the top of the list. Florida should be investing in students and families—not political insiders and billionaire investors. #FOFFL 🔗 https://bit.ly/4eGjwhL

The PSC is grateful to @mayor.nyc.gov Mamdani, the @council.nyc.gov, and Higher Education Chair Rita Joseph for a city budget that maintains and expands @cuny.edu funding while introducing new initiatives to support students and communities across the city. (1/2)

A big welcome to the #UnionFamily to our newest members! These #PublicEd, #HospitalStaff, #HigherEd and #CTStateWorkers chose #UnionYES. #Solidarity #BetterInAUnion @aft.org @aftteach.bsky.social @afthighered.bsky.social @psrp-aft.bsky.social @afthealthcare.bsky.social @aaup.org

Welcome to the AFT family! 🎉 Congratulations to the 95 educators and staff at five Seneca Family of Agencies schools in California's Bay Area on voting to join @cftunion.bsky.social and AFT. We’re stronger together! ✊

This 4th of July, check out @sharemylesson.bsky.social’s America at 250: From Revolution to Republic collection of lesson plans, primary sources, and classroom resources that help educators teach not only how the nation was founded—but how its founding ideals continue to shape American democracy.

Big, bad changes are now in effect for student loan borrowers. We partnered with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund to give you the run down on what to expect. Check out aft.org/pslf for our guide that walks through what you need to do right now.

In her #AFTVoices column, OSEA President Sarah Wofford explores how AI is affecting affordability, student safety + advocacy, and how some employers are using it as an excuse not to hire clerical & other support staff. Learn how we can demand a say in shaping the changes ahead. ⤵️

#PAbudget is officially overdue. As school districts brace for another costly delay in funding, @artsteinberg-pft.bsky.social has a message for lawmakers leaving the Capitol for the July 4th weekend: Fulfill the promise of liberty for all. Fund public schools! #PhlEd #FundOurSchools

The Gov. said the quiet part out loud: FL has different accountability rules for publicly funded school systems. Parents deserve accountability. Taxpayers deserve to know their $ isn't funding private interests. It shouldn't be controversial. 🔗 https://bit.ly/3R8H5Gp #FOFFL

@rweingarten.bsky.social joins @futureoflife.org to talk AI in school—including screens, chatbots,& guardrails to protect privacy & thinking. “[We're] dealing with AI w/out actually having the balance right in terms of what AI does, what it means to our kids, what it means to our economy.” Listen⤵️

"If you are a prompt away from lots of knowledge, then how do you actually assess whether kids have learned anything?" [email protected] President @rweingarten.bsky.social on the latest FLI Podcast episode. 🔗 📻 Listen to the full episode now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB01...

Did you know? Heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion & heat stroke happen quickly, and often with little warning. Make sure to stay hydrated, get enough rest in cool spaces, and wear the right clothing. Share these graphics & spread the word.

Protect your pet with affordable coverage from Pets Best. Union members can find plans for as low as $1/day and start protecting their furry family members today.   Get a quote now! unionplus.click/pij

The AFT is teaming up with Kids Belong in Classrooms for a training tonight at 8 p.m. EDT on organizing a safe passage network for your schools and communities. Register here ⤵️ zoom.us/webinar/regi...

@rweingarten.bsky.social on final Supreme Court rulings: While Americans can breathe a sigh of relief on birthright citizenship, "This court is on a mission to shamelessly shift the balance of power in the country toward big money and corporate interests and away from the American people."

This summer, chase waterfalls near and far and save 5% while doing it. Union members unlock savings on 300K+ experiences—from global escapes to easy local adventures. unionplus.click/tej

Inclusion in sports isn't new. It's woven through the stories of Jackie Robinson, Simone Biles, Paralympians, the first blind Ironman, & transgender athletes who continue to redefine what's possible. Explore these barrier-breakers with this free lesson sharemylesson.com/teaching-res... @aft.org

Kids deserve to be safe online and that should be a priority, not an afterthought. We need leaders who are willing to hold tech companies accountable, put real guardrails in place and put children's wellbeing first. www.semafor.com/article/06/2...

Money is politics is corrosive. It drowns out the voices of the people. But SCOTUS keeps opening up opportunities for more money in politics. This is a gift to the billionaires. apnews.com/article/supr...

To every trans student across the country- I want you to know that you are loved, you are seen and you belong. This may be a disappointment, but know that your teachers and school staff are with you. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

If you’re born here, you’re a citizen. Trumps racist, hateful attack on the constitution was just struck down. apnews.com/live/birthri...

As temperatures rise and wildfires spread, threatening our communities, we thank and honor the public employees fighting to keep us safe from fire - and remember those who give the ultimate sacrifice. @nffe.bsky.social

School is out but our fight for the paraprofessional RESPECT check is still on. The July 16 City Council stated meeting is when council members are expected to vote our bill out of committee and put it to a full vote.

Looking to make the most of your summer break? Check out @sharemylesson.bsky.social's free Summer of Learning webinar series exploring issues like AI, literacy, student well-being, civic engagement, classroom culture and more. Find out more here ⤵️

Temperatures are rising across the country, and we want you to be prepared! 🌡 Make sure to stay cool, stay hydrated ,and stay aware of the signs of heat-related illnesses. Share these graphics to spread the word, and visit the AFT Health Hub at www.aft.org/health-hub/h... for more info.

“Having a job is meant to provide more opportunities for a better life, not as coming at the expense of it.” A thoughtful essay on faith, labor, and the dignity of work from Rabbi Mike Moskowitz.

@rweingarten.bsky.social joined lawmakers to introduce the Living Wage For All Act to raise the federal minimum wage to $25/hr. "A true living wage is essential...to restoring dignity for workers, supporting families, & ensuring people can fully participate in their communities & in our democracy.”

Traumatic experiences can lead to increased stress that affects student learning and well-being. In American Educator, AFT’s Children’s Health and Well-Being programs director Chelsea Prax explores how to help students build resilience, regulate their emotions and create space for learning.

🗳️ Help students examine voting rights, civic participation and historical context with this timely resource from Share My Lesson. A thoughtful read for civics, history and government classrooms https://sharemylesson.com/blog/voter-suppression-will-not-have-last-word @aft.org @shankerinst.bsky.social

The Trump administration is trying to undermine the process for receiving federal funding for scientific research by using political appointees—instead of independent scientists—to approve research proposals. The @aaup.org and the AFT are mobilizing to fight back.

“This is what healthcare consolidation looks like: fewer choices, less access, and decisions made farther away from the communities they affect." - Rick Lucas, @ohnursesassoc.bsky.social @afthighered.bsky.social

‼️IMPORTANT INFO FOR STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS‼️ Federal repayment programs are changing as of July 1 and your payments might be affected. Hundreds of thousands of borrowers in Illinois need to select a new student loan repayment plan if they don’t want to end up on a more expensive plan by default.

Happy Pride!

Today we march for our LGBTQ student. We march for every LGBTQ educator. We march for LGBTQ families. Happy Pride!

Incredible energy here at the NYC Pride Parade!

In this week’s video update, I discuss the things happening all over the US-Union members securing contracts, the @aft.org's solution-driven ideas dealing screens and AI in education. Also, of course the bad things the Supreme Court just did. Let me know what you think. youtube.com/watch?v=D6UQ...

In her latest video, AFT President Randi Weingarten breaks down the victories worth celebrating and the fights still ahead: a living wage, public schools over private vouchers, and a smarter balance between tech and learning in our classrooms. youtu.be/D6UQMZkbPKk

What happened to @petebuttigieg.bsky.social and his family is cruel and and despicable. I hope the criminal justice system finds the person who put his family through hell Thank you Mr Secretary for telling the world what happened.

I am a big believer in Sunday School on Sunday….why does Texas not trust its religious institutions to do its religious teaching…. Why not honor our Constitution’s separation of church and state? www.cnn.com/2026/06/26/u...

It's #PublicSchoolProud Friday! From expanding access to books to preparing students for future careers, this week's stories celebrate the people and partnerships helping students succeed. ⬇️

While student loan changes are in flux right now, if the Trump administration gets its way, big, bad changes are coming next week for borrowers. We partnered with @legaldefensefund.bsky.social to give you the run down on what to expect. Check out aft.org/pslf for more.

"The strongest economy we've ever had," President Trump says. Many Americans still face high costs for housing, health care, and groceries. Economic success should be measured by what families can actually afford.

How can educators inspire students to appreciate and engage in democracy? In American Educator, Peter Cookson argues classrooms should be places where student voices are valued, diverse perspectives are welcomed, big ideas are grappled with and young people learn to envision a more just society.

Happening now: kicking off day #2 of @ctaflcio.bsky.social’s #CTLabor26 convention, engaging in #Election2026 to strengthen our #union movement & our democracy. #UnionYES @aft.org @aftteach.bsky.social @afthighered.bsky.social @psrp-aft.bsky.social @afthealthcare.bsky.social @aaup.org @aflcio.org

@rweingarten.bsky.social joined “CBS LA Mornings” to talk about teachers struggling to make ends meet, pointing to the importance of collective bargaining rights, investing in public education and raising teacher wages as priorities to help attract and retain educators. Watch ⤵️