Radio listeners in Detroit and throughout Michigan heard a special radio advertisement featuring AFT president Sandra Feldman during the PSRP conference. The AFT ads, which cover a range of education, political and labor issues, have been running on talk-radio stations nationwide for more than five years. The PSRP-focused ad picks on up the idea that "it takes a team" to make our schools and colleges work; that was the theme of last year's national conference, as well as the title of an AFT report on PSRPs.

It's hard to do justice in print to an ad that includes a number of sound effects, such as classroom dialogue, lockers shutting, bus doors opening and kids talking, but here's the text of the AFT ad, along with sound effects in brackets:

Feldman: I'm Sandra Feldman, president of the American Federation of Teachers--the AFT. Every school day, in addition to teachers, thousands of talented, caring professionals play key roles in the education of our nation's public school students. It takes a team to keep school running.
[Teacher speaking to class as paraprofessional is working with student.]

Paraprofessional: Let's see if I can help you, Michael. There. You've got it!

Feldman: Skilled classroom aides assist teachers and help provide the one-on-one attention children need.
[High school hallway, with teenagers walking and talking, lockers shutting, etc.]

Security guard: Hey guys, hands to yourself, please.

Feldman: Security officers help keep schools safe and orderly.
[Sounds of bus door opening, urban traffic, kids getting on bus.]

Feldman: Safely handling a five-ton school bus filled with children takes real ability and experience.
[S-f-f-s-s-s of bus's air brakes.]

Bus driver: Hey, morning, guys!

Feldman: School support staff use their knowledge and skills to make sure students get the most out of every school day. Our schools couldn't work without them.