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Ruth Bader Ginsburg: To honor her memory is to continue in the struggle for justice
As a supreme court justice, Ginsburg interpreted the Constitution as a living document, an approach that has won marginalized groups rights they had been denied for generations. CHICAGO, September 18, 2020—Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey issued the... read moreOne year of imperfection will not devastate us. But the loss of lives will.
There needs to be grace and understanding when recognizing the limitations of a purely remote teaching or learning environment. One year of imperfection will not devastate us. But the loss of lives will.
What happened when I returned to my school building
Again, there were no signs posted, no plexi-glass, no floor markings, no wipes available, etc.
Clerks need COVID safety protocols before returning to buildings
CPS officials admit they have no full safety plan in place, nor is CPS ready to train workers on proper safety protocols, despite their demand that school clerks return to in-person work in school buildings today. After months of pressure from the Chicago Teachers...
We cannot return to buildings without a safety plan in place
CPS and the mayor are putting the health and safety of our members, their families and communities at risk by forcing clerks back into school buildings starting tomorrow, August 26.
Excessive Paperwork Arbitration Win for Washington HS Special Educators
The Union received a favorable decision in the arbitration of a grievance concerning excessive paperwork for special education teachers. The grievance, which arose at Washington High School, concerned additional paperwork requirements that CPS began to impose on special education teachers in 2016 as part of former CPS CEO Forrest Claypool’s scheme to deny students special education services.
CPS and the mayor are forcing our clerks back into school buildings
Clerks are the heart of school communities, and they deserve the same rights as teachers. They are majority Black and Brown women, heads of household. Their lives matter.
Parents need clearer, accessible ways to support their children’s learning
Chicago Public Schools wants remote instruction to look like, and sound like, in-person instruction. Our members, however, feel that there should be innovation specific to remote learning that works for the needs of all educators and families. Between now and the...
What we need to improve the remote learning experience
CPS and the mayor may want to pretend this is a normal school year, but it’s not.
CPS must recognize that we are teaching in a pandemic, and provide more for working parents and families
We’ve accepted that this is a pandemic, and we’ve adapted accordingly to serve our school communities. We’re not sure CPS has done the same.
The first thing I need to know is that my students and their families are safe
Chicago Public Schools wants remote instruction to look like, and sound like, in-person instruction. Our members, however, feel that there should be innovation specific to remote learning that works for the needs of all educators and families. Between now and the...
Bargaining Update on Remote Learning
CTU continues to bargain with CPS over the conditions of remote learning as the school year begins. Watch the video for details of the bargaining. In addition, we’re hearing that members are being asked to report in-person to schools or outdoors for school orientations and open houses before the school year starts. CPS says they are not telling principals that staff can be required to report in-person to school or to outdoor orientations and open houses before school starts.
New Poll Shows Black and Brown Families Overwhelming Support CTU’s Demand for High-Quality Remote Learning
Teachers seen as supporting safety needs of students, families, as virus ravages Chicago’s Black and Latinx neighborhoods. CHICAGO, August 13, 2020—On Thursday, the Chicago Teacher Union released findings from an eye-popping Lake Research poll that found that Black...
CPS must budget for equity, not just talk about equity
Mayor's budget for desperately under-resourced school communities shows distorted priorities that rob working class students. CHICAGO, August 10, 2020—Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey issued the following statement today in response to CPS' release of...
City Hall, CPS must commit to supporting every student and family through deadly COVID-19 pandemic
We have 35 days until students report to school, and CPS must immediately start planning transparently and in partnership with our union to provide every student the educational, social and emotional supports they need to learn and grow.
Video Update on Bargaining Over Fall Schooling
CTU officers, staff and rank-and-file members report on the state of talks with CPS about reopening plans for the fall.
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