My Union
Caring, united, democratic: CTU is more than 25,000 teachers, paraprofessionals and clinicians acting as one.
Together, our union fights to win.
Educators of Chicago
Our union is a fellowship of educators across this city who care for students and equip them for their destinies. As we band together for the common good, we must remind ourselves constantly of the amazing things that each of our teachers, paraprofessionals and clinicians do every day in support of children and their families. Take a minute here to read about your fellow CTU members as we celebrate their extraordinary efforts on behalf of students, colleagues and community.
Featured Story
Erik Young says his teaching and his life are just like his poetry and his rhymes. “I live and teach that way, against the grain. Always seeking out new avenues, things that are a little different than most.”Erik YoungHistory TeacherKing College Prep HSUnion Democracy
The Chicago Teachers Union is the most democratic institution devoted to this city’s schools and those who make them work. Each month, hundreds of delegates representing every school and type of educator gather to pool our knowledge and collective will. In this section, find documents, updates and tools about our democratic processes and institutions.
We’ve Got You
If you’re new to teaching or just to CPS, the Chicago Teachers Union is here to help. Learn more about the CTU and get some survival tips to help you facilitate the education your students deserve.
Welcome Our New Sisters and Brothers
Educators at Charter Schools became CTU members in spring of 2018. These teachers and staff are first-class members in a special division of our union—known as CTU-ACTS—with special and varied needs and rights. This section delves into the specifics.
News for Members
CTU to strike charter operator CICS on Feb. 5 if no agreement reached
Events
For paid vacation Dec. 24 through Dec. 28, 2018. The week from Dec. 31 through Jan. 4 was unpaid. The result is 50% of gross pay. Your net pay will likely be less than 50% of normal net, due to insurance and other regular withholdings.
The Chicago Teachers Union has a plan to take back our city with strong progressive candidates like Rossana Rodriguez. Rossana is an educator and activist with deep roots in the 33rd Ward. With the support of teachers, she can go to city council and fight to fully fund our schools and stabilize our communities. Come meet her and other progressive teachers for drinks at her campaign headquarters Friday, January 18th. And don’t forget to vote February 26!
This meeting is open only to members of the CTU Executive Board.
This meeting is open only to CTU District Organizers.
School Improvement Days are non-attendance days for students and are for teachers and staff to review student data, plan instruction, and engage in development aligned to school priorities. They are principal-directed, except April 5, 2019 and June 19, 2019, which are teacher-directed.
Professional Development
The Chicago Teachers Union Foundation Quest Center is the premier professional development provider in Chicago for Chicago’s public school teachers, clinicians, counselors, and PSRPs. We offer a variety of professional learning opportunities through workshops, courses, learning series, and learning labs. Quest Center also hosts Nurturing Teacher Leadership, the Chicago Teachers Union/Chicago Public Schools 2-year program of professional development and candidate support that prepares Chicago Public School teachers for National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification, the highest credential a teacher can earn. All of our professional development offerings provide the opportunity for participants to collaborate and network to improve their practice. All sessions offer ISBE Professional Development Hours, and some courses offer an additional CPS Lane Placement Credit option.
The Schools Chicago’s Students Deserve 2.0
This 2018 update to CTU’s 2012 report provides a counter-narrative to the corporate agenda on education and highlights the role of CTU’s campaigns, including for contracts, in fighting it.
