President's Perspective

Tales from Lake Wobegon

The Department of Education has created a Potemkin Village of false facades and fake accomplishments while driving the workers behind the scenes harder and harder to maintain the illusion.

What we do for kids: October 1, 2009

I wear my union label proudly — and perhaps no more proudly than I did in late September, when the UFT again demonstrated its commitment to the city’s children, especially its poor children, in three separate ways.

Getting off to a good start: September 17, 2009

As we begin a new school year, we also need to begin thinking in a new way about how we move our profession forward.

A message from UFT President Michael Mulgrew: Aug. 13, 2009

Being a New York City teacher is a rewarding and fulfilling profession, but don’t let anyone tell you that it will be easy. Certainly, the first few years will be among the most challenging of your career. As you navigate the road ahead, remember that the union is here to help you do your job.

A final message: Jun. 29, 2009

No one has had a better job than I, working at the vortex between public education and the labor movement, the two most powerful engines for social and economic justice.

June priorities: June 4, 2009

Some people... prefer an either-or stance, black-and-white positions. But we know that there are no simple answers in a system as complex as ours.

Turn around — don’t close — struggling schools: May 21, 2009

It’s time for a new strategy — one that of course focuses on instruction, but also aims at the root causes of chronic school failure, one that addresses the needs of the community and its families.

The case for common standards: May 7, 2009

While developing strong core standards, we also need to ask: What else do schools and teachers need?

The promise and pitfalls of charter schools: April 23, 2009

We need a vision of public education that has district schools and charter schools working together, side by side, to educate all. Policies that pit school against school have created a senseless war that accomplishes nothing educationally and claims students as its casualties.

Sharing the pain: April 2, 2009

Amidst the current economic uncertainty, myths are circulating about the pension programs and health insurance of municipal workers. These myths not only misrepresent the problems, they stand in the way of finding realistic solutions.

The president’s education agenda: March 19, 2009

What was it about President Obama’s first major speech on education that left so many teachers surprised, disappointed, and even angry? President Randi Weingarten offers her perspective.

Now unions matter more than ever: March 5, 2009

Just as education is the great social equalizer, the labor movement is the great economic equalizer. Together they are the linchpins for creating opportunity in America.

Checks and balances: Feb. 19, 2009

Because of a death in her family, President Weingarten was unable to write a column this week. Instead, here are excerpts from her testimony on Feb. 6 before the New York State Assembly Committee on Education’s hearing on the city’s school governance law.

Who speaks for the kids?: Feb. 5, 2009

Our governance system needs fixing. In this school budget battle, where is the independent voice to champion kids?

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