For Immediate Release
UFT TV ad cites educators' advocacy efforts to help children succeed
May 11, 2009 2:09 PM
On May 11, the UFT began airing a television commercial highlighting some of the ongoing work that the union does on a routine basis to help children strive for academic success.
The 30-second “Today’s Lesson” ad notes that the 200,000-member union is a staunch advocate for children that continually works to ensure that schools get the resources they need while also pursuing things that benefit students such as smaller classes, homework assistance and scholarship programs.
Click here to watch the ad.
The ad features cartoon-style animation showing a teacher drawn in white chalk on a green blackboard helping similarly depicted students in her classroom while an announcer says:
“Who makes sure kids have the resources they need? Who works to put and keep great teachers in the classroom, and for smaller classes so every child gets a quality education? Who ensures students get the help they need from homework assistance to scholarship programs? Who is 200,000 strong with just one goal: preparing our children to succeed? The United Federation of Teachers. The UFT. We have “teachers” in our name but children and their families in mind.”
The ad will run through June 21 on local broadcast stations as well as satellite and cable television networks in the New York City metropolitan area. It will run during some of television’s most popular shows, including “Oprah,” “Law & Order: SVU,” the “Today Show,” “Meet the Press” and late night talk shows such as the “Late Show with David Letterman,” among others, along with local morning and evening news shows.
The time is right for this ad campaign, said UFT President Randi Weingarten, who also heads the union’s national parent, the AFT.
“Given all the news about the tough economy and the hard times the city, state and nation could face in the months ahead, we want to reassure parents in particular and the public in general that the UFT will continue our tradition of being a fierce advocate for children in public schools,” she said.
