Tennille Evans

Tennille Evans is the lead organizer for the Chicago Teachers Union and executive board vice president for the Illinois Federation of Teachers. Before taking on these roles, she spent 20 years in the Chicago Public Schools system as a PSRP. She also served as a CTU PSRP delegate and an AFT/IFT delegate for many years. She has experience organizing members in Chicago and in right-to-work states.

She has helped negotiate historic contracts that provide for smaller class sizes, PSRP raises, job retention, a nurse and social worker in every Chicago public school, and support for students and families experiencing homelessness.

In 2012, 2016, 2018 and 2019, Evans helped lead and organize CTU members and strikes. She also led strikes in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn., where her chanting voice became the heartbeat of a movement.

She has spearheaded political campaigns and new organizing efforts for teachers, PSRPs, family engagement initiatives and new charter school organizing. She has firsthand experience in fighting inequities and developing member leaders’ skills and strategy to help them build power and strengthen their unions.

Evans is currently on leave from the classroom. She enjoys spending time with her daughter and family, causing good trouble, singing, traveling, attending church, connecting with her sorority sisters and fighting for workers’ rights.