Philadelphia Federation of Teachers

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY 2023

January 16, 2023

"Every year on Dr. King's birthday, I think about the legacy he left, the life he led, and the horror of his assassination. Dr. King's fight for equity and justice continues to reverberate to this day, with a reminder of the progress we have made and the enormous amount of work ahead.

"Just this week, we learned of the death of Keenan Anderson, following a traffic stop in Los Angeles. His death speaks, once again, to the inherent dangers of being Black in America. It should not have to be said that a traffic stop should not be a death sentence. We are thinking of Keenan Anderson’s family, his students, and all of those who knew and loved him.

Warmest Wishes: Message from Jerry Jordan

December 23, 2022

Dear PFT Members,

As we close out the final week of school before a well-deserved break, I want to thank you for your ongoing solidarity, your commitment to our students, and for being part of our collective fight for a better tomorrow. Take a look back at just some of our 2022 here.

PFT PUBLISHES ANNUAL YEAR IN REVIEW

December 2022

PHILADELPHIA—The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers has published its 2022 Year in Review, outlining images, stories, videos, member messages, and news releases from an historic year.

The year has been one of tireless advocacy and fighting for justice. Throughout the look back at the year, it is clearer than ever that our union is deeply committed to fighting for what is right. We have advocated around and drawn the connections between so many issues: ending the crisis of gun violence, fighting for a woman's right to make healthcare decisions, ending racism and bigotry in all forms, fighting for resources for students and advocating for the schools our students and members deserve, and so many more.

On the 2022 Year in Review, PFT President Jerry Jordan said the following:

"I am so proud of the work of this union this year and every year. Collectively, we have pushed forward amidst trying times, and we have never stopped in our pursuit of justice and equity. In the joy and in the sadness, our solidarity unites us, strengthens us, and moves us forward."

Meredith Elizalde Shares Poem in Honor of Son Nicolas at CeaseFirePA Vigil

On December 14th, PFT joined CeaseFirePA's vigil in honor of the tenth anniversary of the Sandy Hook mass shooting and in honor of the 15,000 lives of Pennsylvanians stolen by gun violence in the ten years since then.

Speakers at the event included:

Roz Pichardo (CeaseFirePA)
Chante Love (EMIR Healing Center)
Dennis Carradin (The Trauma Survivors Foundation)
Meredith Elizalde (mother of Nicolas, and PFT member)
Rev. Tonya Waller-Waddy
Dr. Dorothy Johnson-Speight (Mothers In Charge)
Adam Garber (CeaseFirePA)
Michael Reed

At the vigil, Meredith Elizalde read a poem she authored in honor of her son Nicolas, "What Does the Green Bird See?" Meredith began by saying, "Dedicated to Nick Elizalde: The greatest honor of my life was to be your mother. The second greatest honor of my life was to hold you as you died. May we all be blessed to see the world and our role in it, as you did. Rest in power."

LeShawna Coleman and Gemayel Keyes featured in American Educator: Philadelphia's Paraprofessional-to-Teacher Pipeline

December 2022

In the Winter issue of American Educator, PFT staff representative LeShawna Coleman and teacher resident Gemayel Keyes delve into the PFT paraprofessionals pathway program. A must read!

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON SHOOTING OUTSIDE OF OVERBROOK HIGH SCHOOL

November 23, 2022

In response to the shooting outside of Overbrook High School at dismissal today, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement:

PHILADELPHIA—"The ongoing scourge of gun violence continues to plague our city and our nation. I am enraged by the shooting outside of Overbrook High School this afternoon that injured four students and surely traumatized so many more students, staff, and community members.