Governor Abbott appointed TEA Commissioner Mike Morath, who appointed F. Mike Miles over Houston ISD. One thing we know for sure is that all three of them made the top of Santa’s “naughty” list. In November, we have the opportunity to kick all three of them out by voting Abbott out of office ⬇️

Sending warm holiday wishes to you and your families, whatever traditions you celebrate—Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, the New Year, and more✨ May your holiday break be restful, rejuvenating, and filled with joy!

Step back in time with the us as we sit down with HFT founding member Richard Shaw for a powerful conversation about the past, present, and future of public education in Houston ISD. YT: youtu.be/QnzVuZF9xSM?... Audio versions can be found on Apple and Spotify! @texasaft.org @aft.org

We’re here at Shrine of the Black Madonna to help pass out food and toys to the community. Thank you to everyone who donated to our toy drive! If you are in need of food or toys, come out and see us. Special thank you to Shrine for hosting this amazing event!

These are all of the empty seats on the state-appointed Houston ISD Board of Managers hearing meeting tonight. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath appointed board members who won’t even show up to their own meetings. Shameful. @texasaft.org @aft.org

Due to the holiday hustle, we will not have our regular Wednesday organizing meeting tonight. Our union hall will also be closed from December 18 through January 2. We will resume regular office hours on Monday, January 5. If you need assistance this week, please call our office at 713.623.8891.

Don’t forget, today is the last day to vote for our two endorsed candidates for the runoff election! The polls close at 7:00 PM. To find your closest polling location, please visit harrisvotes.com.

So much fun at the HFT Holiday Party tonight! Stay tuned for more photos 😍

⭐️ REMINDER ⭐️ If you’re coming to the HFT Holiday Party tomorrow, make sure you bring an unwrapped toy donation if you want to be entered into the raffle!

Early voting ends tomorrow (Dec. 9) for the special and runoff elections. Election Day is Dec. 13! Here are our endorsed candidates: • Christian Menefee: CD 18 • Alejandra Salinas: Houston City Council At-Large 4 • Renee Jefferson Patterson for HCC Board Trustee District 2 Visit harrisvotes.com

In Houston, TX, @hft2415.bsky.social educators are committed to creating supportive environments where students know their voices matter. Now, students like Rose are speaking out about how the state takeover is changing their classrooms. bsky.app/profile/hft2... #PublicSchoolProud

What’s going on in #HoustonISD? Catch up on Jackie Anderson’s perspective as the President of the Houston Federation of Teachers on today’s podcast episode: YT: youtu.be/_9yyjD3o-Mw?... Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o... Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/13KIi4x... @texasaft.org @aft.org

Please consider joining the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation tomorrow to block walk for this special election's runoff candidates!

In Houston, TX, @hft2415.bsky.social members are committed to creating supportive school environments where students feel empowered. Students like Rose are speaking out about how the state takeover is impacting their classrooms and ability to learn. bsky.app/profile/hft2... #PublicSchoolProud

SCOTUS just ruled that Texas can use its latest racial gerrymander in next year’s midterms — greenlighting the egregious, racist map that displaces Black and Latino Texans. This is a five alarm fire for our democracy. We cannot let it become our new normal.

We’ve received several phone calls from employees who filed grievances against Houston ISD without union representation and faced retaliation as a result. Because of this, 𝒘𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒚 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝑯𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒏 𝑰𝑺𝑫 𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒚𝒆𝒆𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒂 𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕.

We’re collecting new, unwrapped toys for the holidays! If you want to help with this, here are details of where and when you can bring toys to donate: 🗓️ Mondays - Fridays, December 1 - 19 ⏰ 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM 📍 HFT Union Hall: 2704 Sutherland St Thank you for helping us spread holiday cheer!

Welcome back, Houston educators! We hope you had a restful and recharging break. Just 3 more weeks until the next one! Don’t miss out on our events this month. We can get through this together 🫶 RSVP to all events here: bit.ly/HFTActionCenter Not a member? Join HFT today: hft2415.org/join-hft/

When your superintendent fires so many school staff members, students start creating math problems about it. As educators prepare to return to the classroom, we’re grateful for students like Rose who share their experiences of how the state takeover is impacting our community. @texasaft.org @aft.org

Mark your calendars for our upcoming events! 📌 Toy Drive - Bring Toys to Donate! Dec 1 - 19 📌 TES Training - Surviving HISD Tues, Dec 2 | 5:30 - 6:30 PM 📌 Mindfulness & Meditation Mon, Dec 8 | 5:30 - 6:30 PM 📌 HFT Holiday Party Friday, Dec 12 | 5:30 - 10:00 PM

Thank you, Houston ISD teachers and staff, for taking care of our future. Happy Thanksgiving! #Thanksgiving #Gracias #ThankYou #HoustonISD #HFT @texasaft.org @aft.org

Give yourself the gift of union support this holiday season. Houston ISD employees deserve protection, community, and a voice that has your back. Don’t forget, our deadline to join HFT this year is April 1, 2026. hft2415.org @texasaft.org @aft.org

“All of the research points to the fact that kids need to read books and have a lot of time reading to become good readers," Hanford told me last week, careful not to comment on HISD directly.” www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...

The HFT Office will close at 3:00 PM on Friday, November 21, and will remain closed November 24 - November 28. We will resume regular business hours on Monday, December 1.

"It is important to join HFT because at any time administration can change and they can/will demand things of you that are not required/legal/etc. You have to plan for the unknown and protect yourself at all times." Join today! hft2415.org

In winning the bid to administer Texas’ school vouchers, the venture-capitalist- backed firm, Odyssey, cultivated close ties to the political world of Gov Abbott, by @byjustinmiller.bsky.social. @texasaft.org @democracymoms.bsky.social @hft2415.bsky.social www.texasobserver.org/texas-vouche...

🇺🇸 Honoring all who served with courage and dedication. Thank you, veterans!

DEMS SIMPLE PROPOSAL: A simple one year extension of existing ACA tax credits Re-open the government Establish committee to continue negotiations for long-term lower healthcare costs

Schumer voting no.. That’s good. No one wants to continue this shut down but we need to address all the harms including the need to stop skyrocketing healthcare costs www.politico.com/live-updates...

It was great hearing from TX Rep. Gina Hinojosa at her Breakfast with Labor this morning at the TX GC Area Labor Federation about her plans if elected as Texas Governor. She said her first action as Governor would be to fire TEA Commissioner Mike Morath. #UnionStrong #txlege @aft.org @texasaft.org

This kind of disruption hurts Houston ISD students and disrespects educators who have faithfully served their community for years.” - HFT President Jackie Anderson @aft.org @texasaft.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nov. 5, 2025 CONTACT: Nicole Hill, 512-317-2232, [email protected] Houston voters deal another political blow to HISD Superintendent Mike Miles. Voters elected pro-public education candidates who will resume control when the state takeover ends.

We have three HFT events coming up! 📌 Nov. 5 - Organizing Meeting 📌 Nov. 6 - Mindfulness & Meditation 📌 Nov. 10 - Surviving HISD, TES Training RSVP for any or all of them here: actionnetwork.org/campaigns/hf... See you soon!

Have you voted yet? If not, there’s still time! Polls close at 7pm. Here are HFT’s endorsed candidates: ➡️ Alejandra Salinas, Houston City Council At-Large 4 ➡️ Renee Jefferson Patterson, HCC Trustee District 2 Find your nearest voting location here: www.harrisvotes.com

Have you voted yet? If not, there’s still time! Polls close at 7pm. Here are HFT’s endorsed candidates: ➡️ Maria Benzon, HISD District 5 ➡️ Michael McDonough, HISD District 6 ➡️ Audrey Nath, HISD District 7 Find your nearest voting location: www.harrisvotes.com

"I always tell people to join the union. I appreciate HFT’s advocacy on behalf of educators and students" - HFT Member Why did you join? hft2415.org/join-hft/

📣 HFT Members 📣 Don't forget to take the HFT / Texas AFT membership survey. It closes tonight! We really want to hear your opinions so we can grow stronger and move forward together. Please check your email or text messages for the link. Thank you!

Why join HFT? Here are just a few things important to Houston ISD educators: 📣 Employee Voice ☔️ Professional Liability Insurance ⛑ Legal Protection ❤️‍🩹 Staff Support 🧰 HFT helps educators grow their tools to build better schools. What tools do you want in your tool box?

Please take a few minutes to complete our member survey! Your feedback directly informs our union’s priorities and advocacy. You can find the link to the survey in your email inbox or in a text message sent yesterday. Not a member yet? Join today! connect.aft.org/app/memberfo...

Don’t forget - Happy Hour tonight at HFT until 7:30PM! 2704 Sutherland. ✨ All non-administrative HISD staff are welcome ✨ Come enjoy community with your colleagues. Not a member? Join today! hft2415.org/join-hft/

Help get out the vote for Maria, Michael and Audrey for HISD Trustee. They will fight for teachers, students and the end of the state takeover. ➡️ Union Blockwalks 9 am this Saturday (10/25) and next Saturday (Nov 1) x.com/hft_2415/sta...

Q: Why did you join HFT? A: HFT provides a stronger voice in advocating for better working conditions and educational policies. 🔊 Did you know we're the largest union in HISD? 📣 Why did you join HFT? Comment or DM us and we'll share! Join HFT: hft2415.org/join-hft

Q: Why is it important for educators to join HFT? A: To help us fight for our students ✅ A perfectly beautiful reason. 📣 Why did you join HFT? We'll add your reason to the list! 🔗 Join today: hft2415.org/join-hft

Happy Diwali to our members who bring knowledge, light, and goodness to their communities.

A beautiful sunrise flying into DC… Maybe it’s a good omen

Thank you America .

Anyone else need an emotional boost? This HFT members shared that one reason to join HFT is... 💙 "For feeling support in these hard times and know positive differences are being made." 📣 Why did you join HFT? We'll share yours! 🔗 Join today: hft2415.org/join-hft

👋 Howdy from Houston + Pearland. @aft.org showing up and out for democracy. #NoKings #Allin @zephcapo.bsky.social @hft2415.bsky.social

Houston No Kings Rally 10/18!

This tragic but excellent article needs to be read by everyone throughout the country. The Republicans want to kill public ed. They are using state takeovers and charter school owning charlatans like Mike Miles (and his abusive NES) to do it. See at what they are stealing from our (soon your) kids!🧵