AFT-Speeches

In his opening remarks, Cogen is appaulding the creation of the Council of AFL-CIO unions for Professional, Scientific, and Cultural Employees. He talks about the goals of the council and the activities the council will take part in.

In this speech, Al Shanker discusses the need for teachers to take responsibility of the state of education. He says that too often students, parents, or society are blamed for school failure, while teachers are cast as victims. Shanker argues instead that teachers need to adjust their attitudes to claim responsibility. In doing so, he also advocates for stronger teacher training and support noting that frequently young teachers fresh out of college burn out quickly.  read more »

In this speech Selden and Albert Shanker, President of the American Federation of Teachers, talk about how teacher recruitment is the key to improving the quality of American Education.

In this speech, Cogen talks about how the rights of teachers have been ignored or violated while teacher responsibilities have been over-emphasized. He emphasizes procedural right and substantive rights.

In this speech, Cogen expresses the concern that the AFT has always had for building a better society in America, and the central postition that schools must hold in order to have a good society.