2026 Archive - June

In Oregon, members of the Oregon School Employees Association partnered with the AFT to host a Reading Opens the World event in Eugene. Thousands of educators, families and community members came together to receive free books, support literacy and celebrate the joy of reading.

In New York, members of the Syracuse Teachers Association and NYSUT are helping students explore careers in the semiconductor industry through the AFT's Micron project. During a visit to Onondaga Community College, students participated in hands-on electrotechnology activities and learned about opportunities in the future workforce.

In New Hampshire, Nashua Teachers' Union member Melissa Bartolomei helps students discover the joy of reading through a bookmobile program supported by Reading Opens the World. Each year, she delivers thousands of free books directly to students, helping build literacy skills and a love of reading.

In Pennsylvania, members of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers are joining families, students and community allies to advocate for the funding public schools need. Their efforts aim to restore hundreds of school-based positions that support students every day.

At Wilbur L. Cross High School in New Haven, Conn., social studies teacher Brian Grindrod is finding new ways to engage with his 10th- and 11th-grade students—specifically, making sure that his diverse classes of students see themselves represented in the country we’ve built together. As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Grindrod says we must invest in the next generation’s civic education. In his words, “We do not just teach history; we prepare the people who will make it.” 

Faced with a series of companies that brought disastrous private food service into their Oklahoma public schools, AFT Tulsa President Nancy Leonard and school cafeteria manager Ginnie Holly stepped up to get rid of spoiled food from vendors & cook healthy, made-from-scratch meals to feed hungry students & help them learn. From homemade empanadas to real Reuben sandwiches, read how made-from-scratch cooking keeps school meals out of the trash and, instead, where they belong: in the bellies of hungry kids.

In Connecticut, Bulkeley High School math teacher and softball coach Adam Lynch has been named the 2026 Hartford Teacher of the Year for creating a sense of belonging through school sports and extracurricular activities. How is he innovating to make students feel welcome? By putting activities and clubs in the morning on Fridays, Lynch and his colleagues have been able to boost attendance and to help students feel more engaged in the school community. 

In Pennsylvania, AFT helped connect children and families with books through the Summer Reading Cup. During the FIFA Fan Festival in Philadelphia, thousands of free soccer-themed books were distributed to encourage young people to stay engaged with reading throughout the summer, using the excitement of soccer to inspire a love of reading.

In Missouri, members of the Kansas City Federation of Teachers secured a new collective bargaining agreement that raises pay for teachers and school staff. The agreement helps schools attract and retain experienced educators, ensuring students have the stability, support and opportunities they need to thrive.

In New Mexico, members of the Rio Rancho School Employees' Union are helping students build skills and confidence through career and technical education at RioTECH. Students can earn industry-recognized credentials and take community college courses while still in high school, while educators like math teacher Tim Caffee tailor instruction to connect classroom learning with students' career goals and future opportunities.

In Washington, DC, AFT partnered with DC United and the DC Mayor's Office to bring thousands of free books to children and families during a FIFA Club World Cup watch party. The Summer Reading Cup giveaway helped encourage young people to stay engaged with reading all summer long.

In Pennsylvania, AFT Pennsylvania and the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals welcomed students, families and school staff for a community celebration featuring free books, hygiene kits and LEGO sets. Through Reading Opens the World, the event connected thousands of children with resources to support learning beyond the classroom.

In Illinois, Illinois Federation of Teachers member Jitske Miedema is helping students turn their passions into career opportunities through career and technical education and SkillsUSA. With her guidance, students are building real-world skills, gaining confidence and competing at the national level.