Denise Specht
@denisespecht.bsky.social
Retired union leader and teacher. Past Education Minnesota President, AFT, NEA, MN AFL-CIO. Still advocating for public education and working people. Daughter, sister, aunt. #union
Reposted by Denise Specht
Every disaffected Dem & swing focus group we do begins with people asking what's real. They hear, at times, this is authoritarian takeover threatening lives & livelihoods. But perceive most "leaders" not acting as if this were so.
November 9, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Every disaffected Dem & swing focus group we do begins with people asking what's real. They hear, at times, this is authoritarian takeover threatening lives & livelihoods. But perceive most "leaders" not acting as if this were so.
Reposted by Denise Specht
We absolutely will not budge unless Americans can pay for their healthcare! Unless, of course, we get stuck at the airport for some hours.
November 10, 2025 at 1:38 AM
We absolutely will not budge unless Americans can pay for their healthcare! Unless, of course, we get stuck at the airport for some hours.
If only the people had sent a message to Congress last Tuesday…
November 10, 2025 at 1:38 AM
If only the people had sent a message to Congress last Tuesday…
But first, coffee.
October 18, 2025 at 1:17 PM
But first, coffee.
These journalists stood up to an authoritarian today. Even Hegseth’s former employer, Fox News, said no to being lackeys. Cheers to this press corp’s commitment to getting us the truth, as hard as it will be, from the outside of the Pentagon rather than inside. This country deserves it.
Journalists turn in access badges, exit Pentagon rather than agree to new reporting rules
Journalists at the Pentagon turned in access badges and cleaned out their workspaces, the price for refusing to agree to new restrictions on their jobs at the seat of U.S. military power.
apnews.com
October 16, 2025 at 2:07 AM
These journalists stood up to an authoritarian today. Even Hegseth’s former employer, Fox News, said no to being lackeys. Cheers to this press corp’s commitment to getting us the truth, as hard as it will be, from the outside of the Pentagon rather than inside. This country deserves it.
Reposted by Denise Specht
#Sigh…. Guess the Rs on a congressional committee dedicated to workforce don’t like that I spend so much time with our members and their communities. Of course, we will cooperate with any legitimate request, but this won't stop me or our union from fighting for working families.
August 7, 2025 at 10:23 PM
#Sigh…. Guess the Rs on a congressional committee dedicated to workforce don’t like that I spend so much time with our members and their communities. Of course, we will cooperate with any legitimate request, but this won't stop me or our union from fighting for working families.
Reposted by Denise Specht
Private equity is asset-stripping another essential service—childcare—prioritizing profits over kids' well-being. It's time for the federal government to make childcare universally accessible and keep financial predators out. www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/...
Private Equity Finds Opportunity in America’s Child Care Crisis
Parents in the US pay an average of $11,582 per year for child care for children under the age of 15. And private equity sees an opportunity, by racing to consolidate independent daycares. Easy access...
www.bloomberg.com
July 30, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Private equity is asset-stripping another essential service—childcare—prioritizing profits over kids' well-being. It's time for the federal government to make childcare universally accessible and keep financial predators out. www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/...
We should be angry at the political spectacle these congressional hearings have become. The governor was justified to prepare, knowing he was not there to share new knowledge, but for the GOP, Stauber and Emmer to score political points. These sham hearings are reckless and a waste for all of us.
Minnesota on the hook for $430K legal bill after GOP congressional hearing where Walz testified
The state tapped outside lawyers to prepare the DFL governor for a high-profile U.S. House Oversight Committee hearing in June.
www.startribune.com
July 10, 2025 at 12:13 PM
We should be angry at the political spectacle these congressional hearings have become. The governor was justified to prepare, knowing he was not there to share new knowledge, but for the GOP, Stauber and Emmer to score political points. These sham hearings are reckless and a waste for all of us.
Reposted by Denise Specht
May 1 is International Workers Day and I marched in Washington DC with educators, federal workers, union members, immigrants and community to fight attacks against jobs, union contracts, due process and workers’ freedoms. The people, united, will never be defeated! ✊ #MayDayStrong #MayDay
May 1, 2025 at 9:32 PM
May 1 is International Workers Day and I marched in Washington DC with educators, federal workers, union members, immigrants and community to fight attacks against jobs, union contracts, due process and workers’ freedoms. The people, united, will never be defeated! ✊ #MayDayStrong #MayDay
Reposted by Denise Specht
Banned books include “Night” by Elie Wiesel, “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou and “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini.
ACLU of Minnesota, Education Minnesota file suits against St. Francis schools book policy
St. Francis Area Schools adopted a policy in the fall requiring all new school library materials purchased by the district be filtered through Book Looks, a website backed by conservative groups. The ...
www.mprnews.org
March 24, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Banned books include “Night” by Elie Wiesel, “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou and “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini.
Reposted by Denise Specht
Hundreds of St. Francis parents, students and educators came together today to send a message to the school board — keep decisions on library books and curriculum at the local level. No to book bans! #teachtruth #freedomtoread
March 25, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Hundreds of St. Francis parents, students and educators came together today to send a message to the school board — keep decisions on library books and curriculum at the local level. No to book bans! #teachtruth #freedomtoread
Reposted by Denise Specht
This is the United States, not Putin’s Russia, and Americans still believe our government should uphold freedom and privacy. Musk and DOGE must be held accountable—and today’s injunction is a major step in that direction. www.aft.org/press-releas...
AFT’s Weingarten Reacts to Injunction Against Elon Musk
WASHINGTON—AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement after a federal court judge ordered a preliminary injunction preventing the Education Department, the Office of Personnel Manag...
www.aft.org
March 24, 2025 at 3:46 PM
This is the United States, not Putin’s Russia, and Americans still believe our government should uphold freedom and privacy. Musk and DOGE must be held accountable—and today’s injunction is a major step in that direction. www.aft.org/press-releas...
Reposted by Denise Specht
Elon Musk’s operatives have been invading Americans’ privacy—& today, a court said NO. It enjoined DOGE. When families apply for student loans, they trust the government to protect their data not steal it or feed it to 3rd parties or AI. This ruling upholds that trust. www.aft.org/press-releas...
AFT’s Weingarten Reacts to Injunction Against Elon Musk
WASHINGTON—AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement after a federal court judge ordered a preliminary injunction preventing the Education Department, the Office of Personnel Manag...
www.aft.org
March 24, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Elon Musk’s operatives have been invading Americans’ privacy—& today, a court said NO. It enjoined DOGE. When families apply for student loans, they trust the government to protect their data not steal it or feed it to 3rd parties or AI. This ruling upholds that trust. www.aft.org/press-releas...
Reposted by Denise Specht
Education is our kids future. Education is our country’s future. Mr. President, we will see you in court. www.aft.org/press-releas...
March 20, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Education is our kids future. Education is our country’s future. Mr. President, we will see you in court. www.aft.org/press-releas...
“Each book that is removed is another voice that is being silenced. Our libraries should be filled with the voices of everyone.”
Thanks Ryan Fiereck and Education Minnesota St. Francis Local 1977 for standing against book bans and standing for a local process.
minnesotareformer.com/2025/03/19/t...
Thanks Ryan Fiereck and Education Minnesota St. Francis Local 1977 for standing against book bans and standing for a local process.
minnesotareformer.com/2025/03/19/t...
'The Handmaid's Tale' could really teach something to the kids in St. Francis. Too bad it's banned. • Minnesota Reformer
“The Bluest Eye” and “The Perks of Being A Wallflower” are out.
minnesotareformer.com
March 19, 2025 at 7:02 PM
“Each book that is removed is another voice that is being silenced. Our libraries should be filled with the voices of everyone.”
Thanks Ryan Fiereck and Education Minnesota St. Francis Local 1977 for standing against book bans and standing for a local process.
minnesotareformer.com/2025/03/19/t...
Thanks Ryan Fiereck and Education Minnesota St. Francis Local 1977 for standing against book bans and standing for a local process.
minnesotareformer.com/2025/03/19/t...
Reposted by Denise Specht
Mar 19 •rally •before school
Natl School Walk-in
by
@neatoday.bsky.social
Who: educators, students, neighbors
What: gather in front of school
When: Mar 19
45 min. before school
•listen to a few speakers
•discuss what we want for our school
•take/share photos
celebrate
collaborate
protest
Natl School Walk-in
by
@neatoday.bsky.social
Who: educators, students, neighbors
What: gather in front of school
When: Mar 19
45 min. before school
•listen to a few speakers
•discuss what we want for our school
•take/share photos
celebrate
collaborate
protest
On 3/19, join us for @neatoday.bsky.social's nationwide Protect Our Public Schools Walk-In Day!
With the Trump Administration threatening to cut funding for kids in need, this is our chance to show public education is what Minnesota families want and deserve.
More info: nea.org/march19
With the Trump Administration threatening to cut funding for kids in need, this is our chance to show public education is what Minnesota families want and deserve.
More info: nea.org/march19
March 19 Participant Toolkit | NEA
On Wednesday, March 19, our communities will walk into our schools together to show elected leaders that we are united in support for the programs and protections our communities need to thrive.
nea.org
March 17, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Mar 19 •rally •before school
Natl School Walk-in
by
@neatoday.bsky.social
Who: educators, students, neighbors
What: gather in front of school
When: Mar 19
45 min. before school
•listen to a few speakers
•discuss what we want for our school
•take/share photos
celebrate
collaborate
protest
Natl School Walk-in
by
@neatoday.bsky.social
Who: educators, students, neighbors
What: gather in front of school
When: Mar 19
45 min. before school
•listen to a few speakers
•discuss what we want for our school
•take/share photos
celebrate
collaborate
protest
“So if private school vouchers would drain our already underfunded public schools of even more money, and would harm student’s educational outcomes, what’s the point?”
Why do Trump and Republicans keep pushing vouchers despite pushback? They want the wealthy to be more wealthy.
Why do Trump and Republicans keep pushing vouchers despite pushback? They want the wealthy to be more wealthy.
Private school vouchers: a bad idea that keeps losing but won’t die - MinnPost
Our organization found that Minnesota public school districts could lose $209 million in the first year of a voucher program.
www.minnpost.com
March 14, 2025 at 4:06 PM
“So if private school vouchers would drain our already underfunded public schools of even more money, and would harm student’s educational outcomes, what’s the point?”
Why do Trump and Republicans keep pushing vouchers despite pushback? They want the wealthy to be more wealthy.
Why do Trump and Republicans keep pushing vouchers despite pushback? They want the wealthy to be more wealthy.
I was on WCCO radio this morning to talk about the latest actions at the Department of Education. These actions are about privatizing public education and finding ways to pay for tax handouts to billionaires.
www.audacy.com/podcast/the-...
www.audacy.com/podcast/the-...
www.audacy.com
March 13, 2025 at 3:59 PM
I was on WCCO radio this morning to talk about the latest actions at the Department of Education. These actions are about privatizing public education and finding ways to pay for tax handouts to billionaires.
www.audacy.com/podcast/the-...
www.audacy.com/podcast/the-...
From anger to taking action. It was a great day on the doors for my neighbor David Gottfried, candidate in the special election for 40B. One woman was ill but answered the door in her pajamas because after watching what happened in the White House yesterday, she is more committed to do her part.
March 1, 2025 at 6:53 PM
From anger to taking action. It was a great day on the doors for my neighbor David Gottfried, candidate in the special election for 40B. One woman was ill but answered the door in her pajamas because after watching what happened in the White House yesterday, she is more committed to do her part.
We need more organizing and push back at local levels. Thanks to the Forest Lake Education Association, students, parents and community leaders for standing up for what their community needs - in this case welcoming, safe and inclusive schools for students.
www.startribune.com/forest-lake-...
www.startribune.com/forest-lake-...
Forest Lake School Board continues adviser funding for clubs supporting students of color
Thursday’s vote follows discussions on inclusion programs, federal pressure on DEI initiatives and the school board’s commitment to educational equity.
www.startribune.com
February 22, 2025 at 12:51 PM
We need more organizing and push back at local levels. Thanks to the Forest Lake Education Association, students, parents and community leaders for standing up for what their community needs - in this case welcoming, safe and inclusive schools for students.
www.startribune.com/forest-lake-...
www.startribune.com/forest-lake-...
A status quo state budget is not going to work for educators. Our legislature must find the revenue to improve our pensions, pay and healthcare. Thank to the Education Minnesota members who lobbied their legislators and rallied the rotunda at the end of the day!
February 19, 2025 at 12:53 AM
A status quo state budget is not going to work for educators. Our legislature must find the revenue to improve our pensions, pay and healthcare. Thank to the Education Minnesota members who lobbied their legislators and rallied the rotunda at the end of the day!