Unions

Illustration of a vaccine, medical equipment, a clock and a calendar with a date marked in red.
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School & District Management Some Teachers Won't Get Vaccinated, Even With a Mandate. What Should Schools Do About It?
Vaccine requirements for teachers are gaining traction, but the logistics of upholding them are complicated.
Madeline Will, September 24, 2021
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9 min read
Grace John, who works at a school in San Lorenzo, gets a COVID-19 shot at a mobile vaccination clinic run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the state in Hayward, Calif., on Feb. 19, 2021. California will become the first state in the nation to require all teachers and school staff to get vaccinated or undergo weekly COVID-19 testing. The statewide vaccine mandate for K-12 educators comes as schools return from summer break amid growing concerns of the highly contagious delta variant.
Grace John, who works at a school in San Lorenzo, gets a COVID-19 shot at a mobile vaccination clinic in Hayward, Calif. California is among those states requiring all teachers and school staff to get vaccinated or undergo weekly COVID-19 testing.
Terry Chea/AP
Teaching Profession With Vaccine Mandates on the Rise, Some Teachers May Face Discipline
With a vaccine now fully FDA-approved, more states and districts will likely require school staff get vaccinated. The logistics are tricky.
Madeline Will, August 23, 2021
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9 min read
National Education Association President Becky Pringle delivers a keynote address.
National Education Association President Becky Pringle called vaccination "one of the most effective ways to keep schools safe."
Moses Mitchell/National Education Association
Teaching Profession Nation's Largest Teachers' Union Now Supports Vaccine Mandates for Educators
The National Education Association's head also stressed the need for employee input, including collective bargaining where applicable.
Sarah Schwartz, August 12, 2021
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3 min read
Teacher Lizbeth Osuna from Cooper Elementary receives the Moderna vaccine at a CPS vaccination site at Roberto Clemente High School in Chicago, Ill., Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021.
Teacher Lizbeth Osuna from Cooper Elementary receives the Moderna vaccine at a Chicago Public Schools vaccination site at Roberto Clemente High School.
Anthony Vazquez/Chicago Sun-Times via AP
Teaching Profession California Mandates That Teachers Get Vaccinated or Regularly Tested for COVID
California is the first state in the nation to issue such a requirement for all school staff in both public and private schools.
Madeline Will, August 11, 2021
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4 min read
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten has called the coronavirus Delta virus "alarming."
Cliff Owen/AP
Teaching Profession AFT President Randi Weingarten Backs COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates for Teachers
As strife around school reopening surges, the teachers' union head says increasing vaccinations is paramount.
Andrew Ujifusa, August 8, 2021
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3 min read
Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, talks during a news conference in front of the Richard R. Green High School of Teaching on Sept. 8, 2020, in New York.
Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, talks during a news conference in front of the Richard R. Green High School of Teaching on Sept. 8, 2020, in New York.
Mark Lennihan/AP
Teaching Profession Teachers' Unions Have Opposed Vaccine Mandates. But That May Change
American Federation of Teachers Randi Weingarten has said she is now considering supporting vaccine mandates after initial resistance.
Madeline Will, August 5, 2021
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6 min read
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo discusses the wearing of masks as he speaks at a news conference in New York on May 27, 2021. A month before school starts, educators are still waiting for official health guidance from New York State and are pushing back on Cuomo's prediction there could be chaos if there's not a policy on staff vaccinations.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo discusses the wearing of masks as he speaks at a news conference in New York on May 27, 2021. A month before school starts, educators are still waiting for official health guidance from New York State and are pushing back on Cuomo's prediction there could be chaos if there's not a policy on staff vaccinations.
Mark Lennihan/AP
Teaching Profession In N.Y., Union Opposes Governor’s Call for a Vaccine Mandate for Teachers
Gov. Cuomo said Monday that school districts should have policies in which teachers should either have the vaccine or be tested.
Barbara O'Brien, The Buffalo News, N.Y., August 3, 2021
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2 min read
National Education Association President Becky Pringle delivers a keynote address.
National Education Association President Becky Pringle delivers a keynote address at the union's representative assembly in early July.
Moses Mitchell/National Education Association
Teaching Profession Q&A Teachers' Union President: Say 'No to Censorship, and Yes to Teaching the Truth'
National Education Association President Becky Pringle discusses some of the challenges and priorities for the nation's largest teachers' union.
Madeline Will, July 7, 2021
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8 min read
In this photo illustration, Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, left, and Becky Pringle, the president of the National Education Association, right.
In this photo illustration, Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, left, and Becky Pringle, the president of the National Education Association, right.
Courtesy photos
Teaching Profession Teachers' Unions Vow to Defend Members in Critical Race Theory Fight
The National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers are preparing for litigation as states restrict teaching about racism.
Madeline Will, July 6, 2021
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7 min read
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, on July 1, 2021.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, on July 1, 2021.
Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
Federal Joe Biden to Teachers: 'You Deserve a Raise, Not Just Praise'
The president and first lady thanked educators for their work during the pandemic in an address to the National Education Association.
Madeline Will, July 2, 2021
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3 min read
Educators and union leaders gathered in Minneapolis in 2018 for the National Education Association’s representative assembly.
Educators and union leaders gathered in Minneapolis in 2018 for the National Education Association’s representative assembly.
Scott Iskowitz/National Education Association
Teaching Profession Union Members to Discuss Critical Race Theory, School Police at 100th NEA Assembly
The NEA's Representative Assembly, where delegates will determine the national union's priorities and policies, will take place this week.
Madeline Will, June 29, 2021
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8 min read
Images shows hand drawn group of protestors.
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
Teaching Profession Teachers Walk Off the Job at Chicago’s Urban Prep
With just two weeks left to the school year, teachers went on strike over what they say is a lack of support for special education students.
Karen Ann Cullotta, Chicago Tribune, June 8, 2021
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3 min read
Santa Rosa City Schools Superintendent Dr. Diann Kitamura poses for a portrait inside the district’s headquarters in Santa Rosa, California, on May 6, 2021. Dr. Kitamura is stepping down from her role at the end of June.
Diann Kitamura is the superintendent in the Santa Rosa, Calif., school district, which was battered by massive wildfires and then the pandemic. Kitamura will step down at the end of June.
Ramin Rahimian for Education Week
School & District Management A Lauded Superintendent Retires After Years of Crises: 'I Don’t Want to Become Bitter'
The pandemic brought huge leadership challenges to superintendents. As some leave the job, who will replace them?
Stephen Sawchuk, May 21, 2021
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12 min read
Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, talks during a news conference in front of the Richard R. Green High School of Teaching on Sept. 8, 2020.
Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, talks during a news conference in front of the Richard R. Green High School of Teaching on Sept. 8, 2020.
Mark Lennihan/AP
School & District Management National Teachers' Union President: Schools Must Reopen 5 Days a Week This Fall
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten wants five days a week of in-person school next fall.
Madeline Will, May 13, 2021
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4 min read
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