The PFT represents more than 13,000 dedicated women and men working in Philadelphia public schools today.
PFT members include teachers, librarians, school nurses, counselors, psychologists and social workers, secretaries, paraprofessionals, classroom assistants, non-teaching assistants, supportive services assistants, Head Start/Comprehensive Early Learning Center and Bright Futures teachers and staff, food service managers and professional and technical employees.
The PFT
- Negotiates the collective bargaining agreement that establishes working conditions, salaries and benefits;
- Administers union-won benefits, including dental, prescription and vision care services
- Assists members with work-related problems
- Offers professional development
- Promotes the use of research-based programs proven to raise student achievement
- Keeps members informed about education issues
- Advocates politically on behalf of members and students.
The PFT is committed to providing Philadelphia's children with the highest quality education possible. We are leading the fight to reduce class sizes, expand early childhood education, use proven education programs, make schools safe and orderly and offer resources and support for teachers, staff and students.
Every school and work location has a PFT Building Representative elected by you and your colleagues to help you with day-to-day issues you may encounter.
The PFT also has Regional Staff Representatives to assist members with larger, more complex issues.
In addition, the PFT has Information Officers and Personnel Officers available by telephone to help you with emergencies or immediate concerns or questions.
PFT History Video: Solidarity Wins!
Executive Officers, Board Members and Staff
| President | Jerry Jordan |
| General Vice President | Arlene Kempin |
| Treasurer | Art Steinberg |
| Secretary | Freda Sydnor-Joell |
| Legislative Representative | Hillary Linardopoulos |
| Associate Secretary | Wendy G. Coleman |
| Vice President Senior and Technical HS | Edward Olsen |
| Vice President Middle Schools | Joan M. McGowan |
| Vice President Elementary Schools | Denise Rogers |
| Senior High Representatives | Vincent Rutland Antoinette Calimag |
| Technical/Skill Center Representative | Rainiel Guzman |
| Middle Representatives | Amy Gottesman Matthew Mandel Kristen Young |
| Elementary Representatives | Eric Blaustein John Coats Jaclyn Rosenfeld |
| Special Education Representative | Louise Jordan |
| Paraprofessional Representative | LeVella Montgomery |
| Secretary Representative | Eartha Mack |
| NTA Representative | Michael Levister |
| Professional Supportive Service Representative | Ruth Garcia |
| Reading Assistant/SSA Representative | Janet Ellis |
| Members at Large | Sunny Bavaro Bonnee B. Bentum Suzanne Cappo Stephanie Conaghan Jodi Fleishman Jeffrey E. Price Thinh Thach |
| Reading Assistant/SSA Representative | Janet Ellis |
| Professional/Technical Representative | Glen Hampton |
| Per Diem Substitute Representative | Cynthia Felton |
| Food Service Managers Representative | Steven Brinkley |
| Long-Term Substitute Representative | Wilma Henderson |
| Retirement Chapter Liaison | Jerry Pollack |
| PFT Staff Representatives | Cyndi Bolden Suzanne Cataline LeShawna Coleman Wendy G. Coleman Raniel Guzman Hillary Linardopoulos Ed Olsen |
| Information Officers | Erik Fleming Evette Jones |
| Grievance Chairperson/Legal Services | Crystal Barnett |
| Human Resources | Arlene Kempin |
| Special Assistant to the President | Denise Rogers |
| PFT Health & Welfare Fund | Art Steinberg, Chairman Rosalind Jones-Johnson, Education Director Sean Kelly, Coordinator |