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
"It threw my entire quarter off," said King, who knows that funds for music have been at an all-time low. This angered the six-year CPS veteran, but he channeled his anger to create change.Timothy KingMusic TeacherFulton ElementaryUnion 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
Arne Duncan knows nothing of real student needs
Events
About the Event
Decades of failed policies have devastated Chicago’s neighborhoods, creating a city that is becoming increasingly unlivable for anybody who isn’t rich and well connected. Right now we have an opportunity to turn that around and reimagine what the future of our city looks like.
As Chicago voters prepare to go to the polls to choose our next Mayor and City Council, we have an opportunity to demand that candidates stand with us on the issues we care about. Together, we can reimagine a Chicago that invests in our neighborhoods, schools, and services.
We #ReimagineChicago to be..
A city where there is mass investment of public resources in education, healthcare, and public transportation and investment in neglected communities, especially Black and Brown neighborhoods across the city.
A real sanctuary city for all communities. A city where there are no new investments in policing or policies that criminalize and put at risk Black people, immigrants and all people of color, such as the Chicago’s Gang Database used to racially profile our communities.
A city with affordable housing and healthy neighborhoods where everyone has access to clean water and housing they can afford.
A city with an economy that works for all Chicagoans not just downtown developers. A city where everybody has access to good jobs by eliminating racial disparities in employment, wages and working conditions.
A city where funds are diverted from policies and programs that increase racial and income inequality, like the TIF program and Chicago’s $4 million/day policing budget and where Chicago’s wealthiest pay their fair share
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.
Spring Transfer Window
Teachers can transfer schools without principal permission between Nov. 18, 2018 and Jan. 2, 2019.
