John,

As kids head back to school, educators and school staff are rolling up their sleeves to help kids recover and thrive.

AFT members are focused on helping kids and meeting their needs despite all the obstacles, including the campaigns by politicians like Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Ted Cruz to demonize and smear them.That means giving out books, not banning them. It means talking about history and current events, not stifling discussion. It means bringing joy and discovery back into school, not politics and hate. There’s a lot at stake here, and teachers and school staff are doing what it takes to give students their best shot at success.

If you ask most teachers and parents, they’ll tell you that they believe in our public schools and want to focus on what our kids and communities need. After all we’ve been through, those basics like reading, after-school clubs and mental health services have never been more important.

We wanted to tell this story of hope and commitment because that’s who educators are.

That’s why we launched a new ad to show that the contrast between the political extremists and the educators and staff working in our schools couldn’t be starker.

Check out the video on our website, and then share it online to show your support for What Kids and Communities Need.

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This is just one way we’re showing classroom educators doing what they do best: engaging their students, expanding students’ horizons, and helping them develop the practical skills and critical thinking they need to succeed in life.

I hope you’ll take a moment to watch and share it.

In unity,
Randi Weingarten
AFT President