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TEACH 2019 Leader Information

TEACH provides an amazing opportunity for AFT members and leaders to engage, connect and learn with each other.

Make sure you and your members take advantage of everything the conference has to offer—from the pre-TEACH activism mini-institute, to the hands-on workshops, to the inspiring plenaries, to the tool-driven Expo.

And don’t miss this year’s all-new leader strand focused on member engagement and union-building.

Read below for details on:

Pre-TEACH: Activism Mini-Institute, July 10

Send members who are interested in becoming stronger advocates and activists in your union and community to this year’s pre-conference activities. Sessions will include:

  • Organizing 101: one-on-one conversations
  • Organizing 101: introduction to direct action
  • Organizing parents and educators at the school level to participate in Fund Our Future
  • Communications Tools and Tactics to Build an Online Campaign 
  • A student debt clinic
  • Organizing for community schools (for leaders and leader-designated attendees only)

Members can also participate in AFT Lobby Day. We will help prepare members, set up appointments, and support them on a visit to their U.S. representative or senator to demand a reordering of priorities and to Fund Our Future.

TEACH Strand: Leader Institute, July 11-13

If you are a leader who attends TEACH but no longer works in a school setting, we have designed a separate track at TEACH for leaders like you, featuring sessions on:

  • Using professional issues to build institutional strength
  • Developing a member organizer program
  • Building an online campaign and media training
  • Organizing, engaging and mobilizing new teachers
  • Engaging the community and allies to be part of the Fund Our Future campaign

The track will conclude with a networking session as well as a conversation and planning session with President Randi Weingarten.

Local Incentive for New Teachers

History shows that most TEACH participants have been teaching for 11 or more years. This year, we are making an extra effort to encourage new teachers (those with five or fewer years of teaching experience) to attend. To assist with this effort, the AFT is offering one complimentary trip when a local registers four new teachers. This free trip includes housing, travel and the registration fee for the fifth member! Please select “My local qualifies for the incentive” when registering. Costs paid by qualifying locals will be reimbursed after the conference. Use the chart below to determine how many free trips your local can qualify for.

Scholarships for New Teachers

We know it must be difficult to send everyone you’d like to send to TEACH. So, we are offering 25 scholarships for new teachers (those with no more than five years of teaching experience), which interested members who are not part of your local’s initial delegation can apply for. These scholarships will cover housing and travel. Registration fees and other expenses will be the responsibility of the winning members. Winners must be approved by their local leader, and will agree to participate in special TEACH activities and share their conference experiences through social media, blogs, etc. Members who are new teachers can apply here.

AFT TEACH Fashion Show Model Search

Our welcome reception on July 11 at 8:30 p.m. will be a time for attendees to unwind and celebrate. With sweet treats, music and an emcee, this year’s celebration will include a fashion show featuring designs from companies that we believe are at the forefront of ethical, sustainable and eco-friendly fashion—such as Svaha apparel and Rothy’s footwear! We are seeking a diverse selection of AFT local leaders to be our models, and hope that you will select a member of your delegation to join you. This fashion show will be lighthearted and fun—plus, models get to keep the items they wear! People of all shapes, sizes and ages are welcome to model. Sign up now.

For questions or assistance, please contact teach@aft.org.