Teachers News | February 2026

On Super Bowl Sunday, AFT President Randi Weingarten spent the morning handing out free books to families at P.S. 48 in the Bronx—stories in multiple languages, about heroes, refugees, athletes and pop stars—reflecting the full, vibrant diversity of our communities. That same spirit carried into the halftime show, a celebration of culture, pride and unity that underscored a simple truth: America’s strength is its diversity. At a time when civil rights and inclusive schools are under attack, educators are standing up—for opportunity, for decency and for every child. Because together, we are America.

 

Costs keep climbing—housing, utilities, healthcare, child care, college, credit cards and medical bills—and working families are feeling it. That’s why the AFT has launched a new Fight for Affordability campaign to help members navigate debt and push back. We’re rolling out practical tools, including the AFT Debt Navigator (a quick, interactive guide to personalized resources), how-to videos and expert-backed information starting with medical debt, and ongoing live debt clinics where members can get answers to their questions. Check out the full set of resources and share them with your members.  

 

In times of uncertainty, preparation and trusted information matter. CARE—Community Awareness, Readiness and Education—is a new Share My Lesson community offering AFT tools, examples and reference materials to help educators, union leaders, families and community partners support schools and neighborhoods during immigration enforcement actions or other moments of uncertainty. Explore a growing resource library and connect with others working to build awareness, structure and support in their local communities. Join the CARE community today and help spread the word.  

 

On this episode of “Union Talk,” AFT President Randi Weingarten unpacks the results of the latest Harvard Youth Poll with Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics polling director John Della Volpe and two Gen Z AFT members who share how the results line up with their own personal experiences. The poll results underscore the instability that young Americans feel about the economy, massive technological changes, our politics and the deep hunger for change and connection. Zachary Coe, a math teacher in Virginia, and Madison Eckhart, a nurse in Alaska, connect these results to their work and lives. The guests discuss the changes young people are seeking to build a better future and ensure they have economic and political agency. Click to listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.  

 

Families are facing rising costs while public education, higher ed, healthcare and public services are being cut. Immigration raids are causing terror in schools, on campuses and in hospitals—places that should be safe for learning, caring and belonging. Educators, health professionals and public employees are being asked to do more with less. Opportunity and affordability matter. We must keep up the pressure. Pressure works: When this administration threatened education spending cuts, a bipartisan Congress stopped them. Our lawsuits stopped the administration from erasing civil rights protections. Our members helped and protected each other when communities were threatened. Now we need to collectively show the nation who we are and what we’re fighting for. Join us March 4 for a nationwide day of action to protect our communities and fight for a better life for all.

 

 

Events in Minnesota make clear what’s at stake in America, AFT President Randi Weingarten said in announcing our union’s participation in the next nationwide “No Kings” day of action on March 28. In President Donald Trump, we have "a leader who acts more like an unbridled king, as opposed to a president who abides by a legal and moral responsibility to the people of our country.” Americans are fighting back peacefully. “It’s clear that courageous, everyday citizens refuse to be intimidated by our government’s abuse of power,” Weingarten said. “We, as Americans, are at an inflection point. That’s why the AFT will take to the streets again. ... It’s time for the federal government to help people forge a better life, not to create fear. We will stand up and protect our schools, our hospitals and our neighbors.”

 

 

In this fourth blog in Share My Lesson’s Black History series, explore how art and history intersect in Kerry James Marshall’s Souvenir II and the diplomatic legacy of Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Ralph J. Bunche. This powerful reflection connects Black History Month, civil rights, and global leadership to inspire the next generation. Read the blog here. This blog is part of our 2026 Black History Month series. Read more from Raphael Bonhomme, Dr. Lisa Thomas and Natalie Dean.

 

What does it mean to fight for students’ needs in a time defined by extremists’ political attacks, funding shortages and threats to students’ and educators’ safety and well-being? In the Winter 2025-26 issue of American Educator, Chicago Teachers Union educators Corey Blake and Amaziah Burton share how they are working to protect and uplift students—with the backing of their union contract. From winning protections for LGBTQIA+ students to ensuring students are taught honest history and see themselves in lessons that reflect Black, Indigenous and other peoples, Chicago educators are standing up for schools that prioritize safety, dignity and possibility for all students.