AFT-Speeches

Shanker speaks before the Illinois Federation of Teachers. He addresses them on the issue of Professionalism; he states that the reason why bills like tuition tax credits are passing is because people no longer believe that public education is viable. Teachers and administrators need to be professional to help turn that opinion around.

Shanker’s testimony before the House Education Committee on House Bill 2466, on the issues of teacher testing and teacher training. He speaks again about being professional and boosting the image of teachers and of public schools.

In this speech, Al Shanker discusses the need for teachers to make their profession into one seen as just that: a profession. He says that in order for teachers to assert themselves as experts who should be consulted on education policy decisions, teachers' unions need to move beyond collective bargaining to focus on professionalization. Shanker argues that should be trusted to make decisions without supervision and legislation. This trust, he argues, would foster enthusiasm and pride in teachers, and new teachers could be more easily recruited.  read more »