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Caring, united, democratic: CTU is more than 25,000 teachers, paraprofessionals and clinicians acting as one.

Together, our union fights to win.

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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.

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Featured Story

Teachers spend at least seven hours a day studying their kids--what motivates them, what pushes their buttons, what draws them in, what leads them to give up, how they respond to conflict, why they smile, and how they’re unique.Halle Quezada EL2 TeacherSuder Montessori

Union 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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

News for Members

Pritzker budget promises hope for public schools

by CTU Communications | February 20, 2019 | News,Press Release

Increase in evidence-based funding recognizes need to drive more resources to students whose schools have suffered from decades of separate and unequal funding. CHICAGO, February 20, 2019—CTU President Jesse Sharkey issued the following statement today in response to... read more
More News

Events

Agenda
Agenda
February – April 2019 Feb – Apr 2019
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Feb
21
Thu
Southwest Side Regional Meeting on District Contract Campaign @ Kelly HS
Tickets
Feb 21 @ 3:30 pm – 5:45 pm

We’re bargaining a new contract – and we want to hear from you.

The Chicago Teachers Union is hosting a series of regional meetings for members to discuss our contract proposals to CPS.

These regional meetings are a place for members to ask questions, talk about bargaining strategy, map out tactics to win on key issues – and make ourselves strike-ready this fall.

We’ll focus on key issues like services for special ed students, nurse and clinician staffing levels, class size, fair and effective student discipline, high stakes testing and better wages and benefits for members.

Wear red – and be there!

There will be two sessions!

3:30–4:30pm = First Session
4:45&ndsah;5:45pm = Repeat Session

Read more
Tags: Contract
Feb
26
Tue
Election Day for Chicago mayor and city council
Tickets
Feb 26 all-day

Read the CTU’s 2019 municipal endorsements and vote for education champions!

Read more
Categories: Political Tags: Alderman Chicago City Council Electoral Campaig
Mar
2
Sat
Reparations Won: A Professional Development on the Curriculum and Author Panel @ Chicago Teachers Union Center
Tickets
Mar 2 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Workshop 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Author event at 6:00 pm.

REGISTER BELOW

Images from the movement to win justice for torture victims overlayed by the words “Reparations Won: Professional Development”

  • FREE of charge
  • Participants will earn 6.5 ISBE PD Hours
  • Participants get a free copy of My Midnight Years by torture survivor Ronnie Kitchen.

Click here for background

2018-2019 is the second school year that middle and high school teachers must teach about the history of torture committed under the direction of disgraced Police Commander Jon Burge and the fight waged by survivors and their allies for justice. In 2015, organizers won the passage of a Chicago city ordinance which awarded a full reparations package to survivors and included the creation of the “Reparations Won” curriculum which CPS finally launched. This curriculum is a challenge to teach and teachers will need strong preparation, as well as time to collaborate and plan. The CTU and CTUF Quest Center supported the development of the curriculum and worked with rank and file educators to develop this professional development series.

This PD is divided into three modules: 1) before teaching the curriculum, 2) teaching the curriculum, and 3) after teaching the curriculum. The modules will include workshop time for participants to think and plan.

Click here to register for Professional Development training

Authors Panel at 6:00 pm

Featuring Burge torture survivor Ronald Kitchen, author of My Midnight Years, and Flint Taylor, attorney for many survivors, founder of the People’s Law office, and author of The Torture Machine. Discussion moderated by Northwestern University Associate Professor and Chicago Torture Justice Memorial member, Martha Biondi.

Click here to register for the Author Panel

Read more
Categories: Book Talk Professional Development
Mar
7
Thu
Delegates, Building Reps and School Leaders Conference @ Chicago Teachers Union Center
Tickets
Mar 7 @ 8:30 am – 3:30 pm

STRIKE READY: Organizing to win for our students and our schools!

Photo of a table of educators holding a collaborative discussion in a room full of other tables doing the same.

This weekday training is open to all. However, delegates are especially encouraged to pool their contractually established delegate preps for release with pay on this date. If you do not pool your preps, you must take a PB day or an 0 day to be released. You must register before February 22, 2019, in order to pool your preps. If you have any questions, please call April Stigger at (312) 329-6259.

Schedule

8:00 a.m.– 9:00 a.m. Greeting/ Registration
9:00 a.m.– 10:00 a.m. Opening Plenary with Special Guests
10:00 a.m.– 11:30 a.m. Common Workshop
11:30 a.m.– 12:15 p.m. Lunch
12:30 p.m.– 1:45 p.m. 1st Choice Workshop
2:00 p.m.– 3:15 p.m. 2nd Choice Workshop

Afternoon Workshop Offerings

Click the arrow at right for descriptions. A note in the title indicates whether the workshop is designed for educators in district-run schools, charter schools or both.

New Delegates Expanded Session (12:30 – 3:15)

The New Delegates Workshop will span both workshop time slots, so if this workshop is for you, you won’t attend another afternoon workshop.

New Delegates Training (district & charter)

Sometimes you have to be contractual tactician, sometimes you’re a shepherd and other times you’re the village healer. Learn the tools you will need to know to organize your building, support your colleagues and enforce your rights. Topics will range from PPC/PSC, grievance process, due process and creating a school of engaged union members.

Restorative Practice Within Schools (district & charter)

This workshop highlights a method of giving students, teachers, and the community a voice in a unique kind of problem solving – one that emphasizes healing and restoration over traditional harsh punishment. Restorative practices are drawn from long-standing models from aboriginal, indigenous, and first nations peoples around the world. Workshop participants will learn how restorative practices in schools represent a new alternative to traditional discipline, and promote accountability dialogue and respect among students and teachers. This is a hands-on workshop that will teach participants how the use of restorative practices, drawn from traditions in the global south, can help ensure that all voices are heard in a respectful and attentive way, and that the learning atmosphere becomes a rich source of information, identify and interaction. We will also discuss how we can win implementation of effective restorative justice practices in all our schools.

Offerings in First Workshop Time Slot (12:30 – 1:45)

Model Schedule, Flex and Assessment Voting (district)

Members will learn the proper procedures for conducting successful votes on model schedule, flex days, the waiver process and testing–and how to make the right choices based on their school. Included are ideas of how members can prepare now for the vote on non-mandated assessments in order to take control of that process away from principals and network chiefs.

The General Education Teacher’s Guide to Special Ed (district & charter)

This workshop will provide the basic information needed in order for you to determine if a student needs Special Ed services and the process to get them evaluated. The workshop will help you evaluate your school’s special education program and what we can do together to win proper resources and staffing for all special ed students.

Grievance as an Organizing Tool (district & charter)

Learn to distinguish between an issue relevant to only one member and one that can galvanize multiple members. The workshop will identify the need for grievances, but also recognizes the limitations of grievances alone, due to the time it takes and the power it puts in the hands of management. You will learn how to apply the mantra of “an injury to one is an injury to all”. The issues in a grievance can be used to mobilize members at a school to take action to pressure the principal to obey the contract.

City Runoff Elections: Three Weeks to Shape Four Years (district & charter)

Chicago’s first round of municipal elections are over. The run-offs loom ahead. Join us to talk about the results of the first round of elections, how to be involved in the second round, and how our contract campaign informs our political and legislative strategy.

Developing Effective PPLCs (district)

Come and learn about what PPLCs are and how to use them as a powerful tool to empower members, advocate for students, and build alliances with parents and community members on your local school council. This workshop will cover what PPLCs are, how to start one, and best practices in running an effective PPLC.

Winning a Strike (district & charter)

Winning a strike requires the highest level of member organization and activity. The role of strike captains can be a critical tool for motivating, directing, supporting, and assessing member activity on the lines and in the streets.

Reimagining Our HOD Format (district & charter)

This workshop for CTU delegates will gather feedback and recommendations on optimizing our House of Delegates meetings (within constitutional parameters).

Winning More Social Workers, Nurses, Librarians, and Other Clinicians (district & charter)

UTLA just won a successful strike that added a librarian in all middle and high schools and a nurse full time in every school. In this workshop we will discuss our theory of how to win the staffing our students need. Come prepared to share, plan and then organize!

PSRPs “We’re In It to Win It” (district & charter PSRPs)

This workshop will give you the training and tools you need to start fighting back and winning. Learn how to advocate for workers around workplace concerns, workplace stress, political actions, and contract negotiations. You will explore your role not only as support staff, but as unionists, activists and leaders.

Offerings in Second Workshop Time Slot (2:00 – 3:15)

Model Schedule, Flex and Assessment Voting (district)

Members will learn the proper procedures for conducting successful votes on model schedule, flex days, the waiver process and testing–and how to make the right choices based on their school. Included are ideas of how members can prepare now for the vote on non-mandated assessments in order to take control of that process away from principals and network chiefs.

Bully Principals and Climate Action Plans (district & charter)

“We’ve tried everything and the principal doesn’t change,”—this workshop addresses that sentiment. The process identifies the specific areas of concern members have with a principal. The areas are then incorporated into a remediation plan. Each step of the plan requires demonstrations of courage by members, and as the steps escalate, members must show more courage. Each escalation is only taken based upon a demonstration of courage by members. Escalation steps include completing surveys, signing a letter to the principal, attending LSC meetings and flyering parents.

Contract Action Team (CAT) Training (district & charter)

Members will learn how to engage their school colleagues in actions and activities to build unity, engage parents and students, and get their entire school community ready in the event there’s a CTU work stoppage.

City Runoff Elections: Three Weeks to Shape Four Years (district & charter)

Chicago’s first round of municipal elections are over. The run-offs loom ahead. Join us to talk about the results of the first round of elections, how to be involved in the second round, and how our contract campaign informs our political and legislative strategy.

Principal Evaluation Workshop (district & charter)

Come and learn about the yearly evaluation process for contract principals. We’ll discuss the criteria they use to be evaluated and how you can advocate at your Local School Council for a fair and transparent evaluation process. Organize at your building to address concerns with a bully principal in a systematic and documented way! Empower your local school council members and increase local democratic control of your school!

Fighting for the Bilingual Education Our Children Deserve (district & charter)

For too long, bilingual education has been getting watered down to fulfill compliance, yet students are not receiving the education they deserve and bilingual teachers are not been getting the support they need. Contract negotiations are under way and much needed language on bilingual education was included but we will have to fight to get the resources and changes we want for bilingual education. This workshop is about assessing the challenges we are facing, organizing with parents and together demand and fight for the bilingual education we need that is culturally relevant and gives students pride in being bilingual students.

Evaluating Our HOD Format (district & charter)

This workshop for CTU delegates will gather feedback and recommendations on optimizing our House of Delegates meetings (within constitutional parameters).

Class Size Matters! (district & charter)

Is class size an issue at your school? In the recent UTLA and Acero strikes, union educators won reductions in class size. These fights for quality learning conditions generated broad public support for the union’s demands. Come prepared to strategize about how to visible, publicly fight for—and win—lower class size and enforceable contract language.

Registration Form

Read more
Categories: Charter Workshop Tags: Charter clinicians CTU-ACTS psrps teachers
Mar
9
Sat
Delegates, Building Reps and School Leaders Conference @ Chicago Teachers Union Center
Tickets
Mar 9 @ 8:30 am – 3:30 pm

STRIKE READY: Organizing to win for our students and our schools!

Photo of a table of educators holding a collaborative discussion in a room full of other tables doing the same.

All PPC, PPLC, LSC members, CTU delegates, CTU-ACTS building reps, Teacher Evaluation Liaisons, retired CTU members, and all CTU members interested in helping to organize their school or department should attend.

Join with CTU members and school building leaders to learn and share skills needed to fight for our contract and to enforce the rights we’ve won.

Schedule

8:00 a.m.– 9:00 a.m. Greeting/ Registration
9:00 a.m.– 10:00 a.m. Opening Plenary with Special Guests
10:00 a.m.– 11:30 a.m. Common Workshop
11:30 a.m.– 12:15 p.m. Lunch
12:30 p.m.– 1:45 p.m. 1st Choice Workshop
2:00 p.m.– 3:15 p.m. 2nd Choice Workshop

Afternoon Workshop Offerings

Click the arrow at right for descriptions. A note in the title indicates whether the workshop is designed for educators in district-run schools, charter schools or both.

New Delegates Expanded Session (12:30 – 3:15)

The New Delegates Workshop will span both workshop time slots, so if this workshop is for you, you won’t attend another afternoon workshop.

New Delegates Training (district & charter)

Sometimes you have to be contractual tactician, sometimes you’re a shepherd and other times you’re the village healer. Learn the tools you will need to know to organize your building, support your colleagues and enforce your rights. Topics will range from PPC/PSC, grievance process, due process and creating a school of engaged union members.

Restorative Practice Within Schools (district & charter)

This workshop highlights a method of giving students, teachers, and the community a voice in a unique kind of problem solving – one that emphasizes healing and restoration over traditional harsh punishment. Restorative practices are drawn from long-standing models from aboriginal, indigenous, and first nations peoples around the world. Workshop participants will learn how restorative practices in schools represent a new alternative to traditional discipline, and promote accountability dialogue and respect among students and teachers. This is a hands-on workshop that will teach participants how the use of restorative practices, drawn from traditions in the global south, can help ensure that all voices are heard in a respectful and attentive way, and that the learning atmosphere becomes a rich source of information, identify and interaction. We will also discuss how we can win implementation of effective restorative justice practices in all our schools.

Offerings in First Workshop Time Slot (12:30 – 1:45)

Substitute Teaching (district)

In this workshop substitute pool teachers will learn about their rights under the CTU/CPS agreement and the Illinois School Code. We will also strategize on how to win better conditions for substitute teachers and increase the available substitute teacher pool to reduce the severe substitute teacher shortage.

Model Schedule, Flex and Assessment Voting (district)

Members will learn the proper procedures for conducting successful votes on model schedule, flex days, the waiver process and testing–and how to make the right choices based on their school. Included are ideas of how members can prepare now for the vote on non-mandated assessments in order to take control of that process away from principals and network chiefs.

The General Education Teacher’s Guide to Special Ed (district & charter)

This workshop will provide the basic information needed in order for you to determine if a student needs Special Ed services and the process to get them evaluated. The workshop will help you evaluate your school’s special education program and what we can do together to win proper resources and staffing for all special ed students.

Grievance as an Organizing Tool (district & charter)

Learn to distinguish between an issue relevant to only one member and one that can galvanize multiple members. The workshop will identify the need for grievances, but also recognizes the limitations of grievances alone, due to the time it takes and the power it puts in the hands of management. You will learn how to apply the mantra of “an injury to one is an injury to all”. The issues in a grievance can be used to mobilize members at a school to take action to pressure the principal to obey the contract.

City Runoff Elections: Three Weeks to Shape Four Years (district & charter)

Chicago’s first round of municipal elections are over. The run-offs loom ahead. Join us to talk about the results of the first round of elections, how to be involved in the second round, and how our contract campaign informs our political and legislative strategy.

Developing Effective PPLCs (district)

Come and learn about what PPLCs are and how to use them as a powerful tool to empower members, advocate for students, and build alliances with parents and community members on your local school council. This workshop will cover what PPLCs are, how to start one, and best practices in running an effective PPLC.

Winning a Strike (district & charter)

Winning a strike requires the highest level of member organization and activity. The role of strike captains can be a critical tool for motivating, directing, supporting, and assessing member activity on the lines and in the streets.

Reimagining Our HOD Format (district & charter)

This workshop for CTU delegates will gather feedback and recommendations on optimizing our House of Delegates meetings (within constitutional parameters).

Winning More Social Workers, Nurses, Librarians, and Other Clinicians (district & charter)

UTLA just won a successful strike that added a librarian in all middle and high schools and a nurse full time in every school. In this workshop we will discuss our theory of how to win the staffing our students need. Come prepared to share, plan and then organize!

PSRPs “We’re In It to Win It” (district & charter PSRPs)

This workshop will give you the training and tools you need to start fighting back and winning. Learn how to advocate for workers around workplace concerns, workplace stress, political actions, and contract negotiations. You will explore your role not only as support staff, but as unionists, activists and leaders.

Offerings in Second Workshop Time Slot (2:00 – 3:15)

Model Schedule, Flex and Assessment Voting (district)

Members will learn the proper procedures for conducting successful votes on model schedule, flex days, the waiver process and testing–and how to make the right choices based on their school. Included are ideas of how members can prepare now for the vote on non-mandated assessments in order to take control of that process away from principals and network chiefs.

Bully Principals and Climate Action Plans (district & charter)

“We’ve tried everything and the principal doesn’t change,”—this workshop addresses that sentiment. The process identifies the specific areas of concern members have with a principal. The areas are then incorporated into a remediation plan. Each step of the plan requires demonstrations of courage by members, and as the steps escalate, members must show more courage. Each escalation is only taken based upon a demonstration of courage by members. Escalation steps include completing surveys, signing a letter to the principal, attending LSC meetings and flyering parents.

Contract Action Team (CAT) Training (district & charter)

Members will learn how to engage their school colleagues in actions and activities to build unity, engage parents and students, and get their entire school community ready in the event there’s a CTU work stoppage.

City Runoff Elections: Three Weeks to Shape Four Years (district & charter)

Chicago’s first round of municipal elections are over. The run-offs loom ahead. Join us to talk about the results of the first round of elections, how to be involved in the second round, and how our contract campaign informs our political and legislative strategy.

Tackling Student Loan Debt

This workshop is for members interested in learning about how to reduce their student debt. This Student Debt Clinic which will provide information on how to enroll in Income-Driven Repayment plans and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Principal Evaluation Workshop (district & charter)

Come and learn about the yearly evaluation process for contract principals. We’ll discuss the criteria they use to be evaluated and how you can advocate at your Local School Council for a fair and transparent evaluation process. Organize at your building to address concerns with a bully principal in a systematic and documented way! Empower your local school council members and increase local democratic control of your school!

Fighting for the Bilingual Education Our Children Deserve (district & charter)

For too long, bilingual education has been getting watered down to fulfill compliance, yet students are not receiving the education they deserve and bilingual teachers are not been getting the support they need. Contract negotiations are under way and much needed language on bilingual education was included but we will have to fight to get the resources and changes we want for bilingual education. This workshop is about assessing the challenges we are facing, organizing with parents and together demand and fight for the bilingual education we need that is culturally relevant and gives students pride in being bilingual students.

Evaluating Our HOD Format (district & charter)

This workshop for CTU delegates will gather feedback and recommendations on optimizing our House of Delegates meetings (within constitutional parameters).

Class Size Matters! (district & charter)

Is class size an issue at your school? In the recent UTLA and Acero strikes, union educators won reductions in class size. These fights for quality learning conditions generated broad public support for the union’s demands. Come prepared to strategize about how to visible, publicly fight for—and win—lower class size and enforceable contract language.

Registration Form

Read more
Categories: Charter Workshop Tags: Charter clinicians CTU-ACTS psrps teachers
Mar
25
Mon
Executive Board Meeting
Tickets
Mar 25 @ 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm

This meeting is open only to members of the CTU Executive Board.

Read more
Mar
27
Wed
District Organizers Meeting
Tickets
Mar 27 @ 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm

This meeting is open only to CTU District Organizers.

Read more
Mar
30
Sat
Stitch-Up @ Chicago Teachers Union Center
Tickets
Mar 30 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Badass HERstory
Stitch-Up

Badass HERstory is a global craftivism (craft+activism) project meant to capture and share the stories of women, female-identified, and gender non-binary humans through fiber art. Put down your device and make something with your hands and heart!

Grow a community of support and action. Leave a mark. Make HERstory.

Featuring artist Shannon Downey

www.badassherstory.com@badassherstory

_

Read more
Categories: Committee Social Workshop Tags: Women’s Rights
Apr
3
Wed
House of Delegates Meeting
Tickets
Apr 3 @ 4:15 pm – 6:45 pm
Read more
Apr
4
Thu
End of 3rd Quarter
Tickets
Apr 4 all-day
Read more
February – April 2019 Feb – Apr 2019

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.

Professional Development

2019 Chicago Elections

Chicago is on the cusp of a new political era. Movements for fundamental change—led in no small part by the CTU—have altered the political calculus in this city. We drove out Rahm Emanuel and we have a chance, now, to impact who runs City Hall. We’ve taken the reins in that process. Now, we need every member and supporter to put in the work.

Let’s make CTU’s vision the dominant narrative in this election.

Learn more