Jessica
@jveleztello.bsky.social
Teacher educator, CUNY | bilingual ed - our knowledges matter, build, and will reimagine the future | resisting anticipatory obedience
Reposted by Jessica
OK, I have a day long convening today so gotta bounce. If you live in NYC, don't stop organizing. This is a beginning and each of us needs to work with others to bring about a better city that actually works for all of us. I'm looking forward to continuing to focus on our libraries & more.
November 5, 2025 at 2:20 PM
OK, I have a day long convening today so gotta bounce. If you live in NYC, don't stop organizing. This is a beginning and each of us needs to work with others to bring about a better city that actually works for all of us. I'm looking forward to continuing to focus on our libraries & more.
I hope all states follpw through, because it's all of our duty to make sure children eat. Then, follow with other resources. As an educator, I am all for growing the mind, but we must meet basic material needs first!
BREAKING: Colorado voters approved a ballot measure that would raise state income taxes on higher-earning households to fund free meals for all public school students.
Follow AP for live updates.
Follow AP for live updates.
Live updates: US voters head to the polls in first general election since Trump's return to power
One year after Donald Trump retook the presidency, 2025 Election Day includes closely watched races for New York City mayor, New Jersey governor and California's Proposition 50.
bit.ly
November 5, 2025 at 2:06 PM
I hope all states follpw through, because it's all of our duty to make sure children eat. Then, follow with other resources. As an educator, I am all for growing the mind, but we must meet basic material needs first!
Not only regulations are needed but a strong push for critical media literacy in schools and at home. There are so many loopholes-young people, caregivers, and educators need to be part of the conversation because we can't simply assume bans and restrictions will fix everything
Instagram and other social media sites have long been under fire for exposing children to harmful content and not doing enough to protect kids’ well-being.
What To Know About Instagram’s New ‘PG-13’ Pledge—And How Parents Can Get Around It
Instagram and other social media sites have long been under fire for exposing children to harmful content and not doing enough to protect kids’ well-being.
www.forbes.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Not only regulations are needed but a strong push for critical media literacy in schools and at home. There are so many loopholes-young people, caregivers, and educators need to be part of the conversation because we can't simply assume bans and restrictions will fix everything
Reposted by Jessica
Starting November 1st, New Mexico will become the first state to offer free universal childcare to all its residents.
It's expected to save families over $12,000 per child annually.
This is a huge step forward — and a reminder that we have the power to fix the system.
It's expected to save families over $12,000 per child annually.
This is a huge step forward — and a reminder that we have the power to fix the system.
September 14, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Starting November 1st, New Mexico will become the first state to offer free universal childcare to all its residents.
It's expected to save families over $12,000 per child annually.
This is a huge step forward — and a reminder that we have the power to fix the system.
It's expected to save families over $12,000 per child annually.
This is a huge step forward — and a reminder that we have the power to fix the system.
Reposted by Jessica
I was reflecting recently on the fact that over the course of 50 years, Carnegie funded the building of 2500 public libraries (1800 in the US).
Imagine a national project that would build 2000 new 21st century public libraries in 25 years. That's something that would rally a lot of people.
Imagine a national project that would build 2000 new 21st century public libraries in 25 years. That's something that would rally a lot of people.
September 14, 2025 at 1:23 AM
I was reflecting recently on the fact that over the course of 50 years, Carnegie funded the building of 2500 public libraries (1800 in the US).
Imagine a national project that would build 2000 new 21st century public libraries in 25 years. That's something that would rally a lot of people.
Imagine a national project that would build 2000 new 21st century public libraries in 25 years. That's something that would rally a lot of people.
Reposted by Jessica
President Trump has ended collective bargaining rights for more than 1 million federal workers. Unions have sued to block the move, but agencies are terminating contracts as litigation continues.
How Trump is decimating federal employee unions one step at a time
President Trump has ended collective bargaining rights for more than 1 million federal workers. Unions have sued to block the move, but agencies are terminating contracts as litigation continues.
n.pr
September 7, 2025 at 4:01 PM
President Trump has ended collective bargaining rights for more than 1 million federal workers. Unions have sued to block the move, but agencies are terminating contracts as litigation continues.
Reposted by Jessica
The targeting of higher-education institutions by the US federal government is the grotesque fruit of a multi-decade political movement to erode public trust in universities.
https://t.co/T8wuiEqH75
https://t.co/T8wuiEqH75
https://www.thenation.com/article/society/letter-students-academia-right-intellectual-life/?nc=1&utm_campaign=SproutSocial&utm_content=The+Nation&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
t.co
September 4, 2025 at 5:08 PM
The targeting of higher-education institutions by the US federal government is the grotesque fruit of a multi-decade political movement to erode public trust in universities.
https://t.co/T8wuiEqH75
https://t.co/T8wuiEqH75
As a social studies 🥲 this makes me very happy. But I also hope NJ is doing better at allocating actual Social Studies time in students' schedules
NJ students in grades 6-12 will now learn about “the history of organized labor, notable strikes throughout history, unionization drives, and the collective bargaining process and existing legal protections in the workplace.”
This is genuinely so important, and so good to see. Jersey strong, baby!!
This is genuinely so important, and so good to see. Jersey strong, baby!!
Proud to sign legislation today ensuring students understand the history of the labor movement and safeguarding the freedom of employees to make their own choices at work without coercion.
These bills reinforce our commitment to honoring the role of organized labor. www.nj.gov/governor/new...
These bills reinforce our commitment to honoring the role of organized labor. www.nj.gov/governor/new...
September 4, 2025 at 5:12 PM
As a social studies 🥲 this makes me very happy. But I also hope NJ is doing better at allocating actual Social Studies time in students' schedules
Reposted by Jessica
“Agency staff members had concluded that the F.D.A. should allow a wide range of age groups to receive the vaccines, citing high hospitalization rates among young children….Vinay Prasad, the agency official in charge of vaccines & gene therapies at the F.D.A., disagreed, overriding those scientists”
F.D.A. Official Overruled Scientists on Wide Access to Covid Shots
www.nytimes.com
September 3, 2025 at 9:35 PM
“Agency staff members had concluded that the F.D.A. should allow a wide range of age groups to receive the vaccines, citing high hospitalization rates among young children….Vinay Prasad, the agency official in charge of vaccines & gene therapies at the F.D.A., disagreed, overriding those scientists”
Reposted by Jessica
You have to organize. I don't know what else to tell people. And organizing is not sexy and it is difficult and it matters that you be persistent. We need long-distance runners right now.
August 29, 2025 at 3:53 PM
You have to organize. I don't know what else to tell people. And organizing is not sexy and it is difficult and it matters that you be persistent. We need long-distance runners right now.
Reposted by Jessica
Massive walkout underway at CDC.
RFK jr. must resign so that we can be safe.
RFK jr. must resign so that we can be safe.
August 28, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Massive walkout underway at CDC.
RFK jr. must resign so that we can be safe.
RFK jr. must resign so that we can be safe.
Reposted by Jessica
Octavia Butler predicted our dystopian present. What can a futurist learn from her chilling accuracy?
Octavia Butler predicted our dystopian present. What can a futurist learn from her chilling accuracy?
“She painted a very clear picture about survival.”
www.motherjones.com
August 27, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Octavia Butler predicted our dystopian present. What can a futurist learn from her chilling accuracy?
Reposted by Jessica
I don’t need a self driving car. I need a vehicle that runs between major areas and can transport large numbers of people at once to reduce environmental impact…wait it’s a train. I’m describing trains.
Build more goddamned TRAINS, America.
Build more goddamned TRAINS, America.
August 27, 2025 at 5:54 AM
I don’t need a self driving car. I need a vehicle that runs between major areas and can transport large numbers of people at once to reduce environmental impact…wait it’s a train. I’m describing trains.
Build more goddamned TRAINS, America.
Build more goddamned TRAINS, America.
Reposted by Jessica
📉 Vouchers. Budget cuts. Federal attacks on the Department of Education.
All of these schemes have one thing in common: they strip resources from kids and weaken public schools.
Public education isn’t a luxury, it’s a promise. And we’re fighting to keep that promise alive.
All of these schemes have one thing in common: they strip resources from kids and weaken public schools.
Public education isn’t a luxury, it’s a promise. And we’re fighting to keep that promise alive.
Our new research shows that state budget cuts and the rise of voucher programs are robbing children of an adequate education.
Learn more from @hilwething.bsky.social:
www.epi.org/publication/...
Learn more from @hilwething.bsky.social:
www.epi.org/publication/...
August 21, 2025 at 5:34 PM
📉 Vouchers. Budget cuts. Federal attacks on the Department of Education.
All of these schemes have one thing in common: they strip resources from kids and weaken public schools.
Public education isn’t a luxury, it’s a promise. And we’re fighting to keep that promise alive.
All of these schemes have one thing in common: they strip resources from kids and weaken public schools.
Public education isn’t a luxury, it’s a promise. And we’re fighting to keep that promise alive.
Reposted by Jessica
A new report from @epi.org shows that states with high union density also have:
✊Higher incomes
✊Greater access to health & unemployment insurance
✊Higher spending on education
✊Greater access to sick leave
✊Fewer restrictions on voting rights
#WorkersDeserve
✊Higher incomes
✊Greater access to health & unemployment insurance
✊Higher spending on education
✊Greater access to sick leave
✊Fewer restrictions on voting rights
#WorkersDeserve
New report details the benefits of unions to workers, communities, and democracy
A new Economic Policy Institute report documents the strong correlation between higher levels of unionization and a range of economic, personal, and democratic well-being measures. In the same way uni...
www.epi.org
August 21, 2025 at 2:16 PM
A new report from @epi.org shows that states with high union density also have:
✊Higher incomes
✊Greater access to health & unemployment insurance
✊Higher spending on education
✊Greater access to sick leave
✊Fewer restrictions on voting rights
#WorkersDeserve
✊Higher incomes
✊Greater access to health & unemployment insurance
✊Higher spending on education
✊Greater access to sick leave
✊Fewer restrictions on voting rights
#WorkersDeserve
Council vote will hopefully override this ridiculous veto. Street vendors should have never been given criminal tickets
Mayor Eric Adams on late Wednesday night vetoed a City Council bill that would have eliminated all criminal enforcement for licensed street vendors.
www.thecity.nyc/2025/07/31/v...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/07/31/v...
Adams Vetoes Bill to Decriminalize Street Vending
The mayor acted at the last possible moment to strike down, for now, a bill the City Council had passed with enough votes to override his veto.
www.thecity.nyc
August 1, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Council vote will hopefully override this ridiculous veto. Street vendors should have never been given criminal tickets
Reposted by Jessica
Alaska has long ignored warning signs of a budget crisis. Now, it has no money to fix something that is posing serious health and safety risks to students and staff: crumbling rural schools.
Alaska ignored budget crisis signs. Now, it doesn't have money to fix schools
Alaska has long ignored warning signs of a budget crisis. Now, it has no money to fix something that is posing serious health and safety risks to students and staff: crumbling rural schools.
n.pr
August 1, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Alaska has long ignored warning signs of a budget crisis. Now, it has no money to fix something that is posing serious health and safety risks to students and staff: crumbling rural schools.
Reposted by Jessica
In AFT Voices, @aftmass.bsky.social member Cory O’Hayer breaks down what’s driving educators out of the profession: "It’s not a teacher shortage, it’s a wage shortage."
Not a teacher shortage, a wage shortage
By Cory O’Hayer
aftvoices.org
July 31, 2025 at 2:55 PM
In AFT Voices, @aftmass.bsky.social member Cory O’Hayer breaks down what’s driving educators out of the profession: "It’s not a teacher shortage, it’s a wage shortage."
Reposted by Jessica
Start your morning with two minutes of the testimony of Samuel Garcia, an average American who drove 3 hours to speak truth to power to the Texas legislature. Let’s decide that we are all Samuel Garcia. Get in their faces and make them listen. Mr. Garcia is a great American.
July 31, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Start your morning with two minutes of the testimony of Samuel Garcia, an average American who drove 3 hours to speak truth to power to the Texas legislature. Let’s decide that we are all Samuel Garcia. Get in their faces and make them listen. Mr. Garcia is a great American.
Reposted by Jessica
“Public education is a public resource. It is what we need to create an enduring democracy and opportunity and dignity for all, and we will not stop fighting for it.” - @rweingarten.bsky.social
Senate forum highlights attacks on public education
The ongoing attacks on public education were the focus of a forum hosted by Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) on July 24. Several panelists, including AFT President Randi Weingarten, discussed the impac...
www.aft.org
July 24, 2025 at 11:21 PM
“Public education is a public resource. It is what we need to create an enduring democracy and opportunity and dignity for all, and we will not stop fighting for it.” - @rweingarten.bsky.social
Absolutely essential. Libraries too.
In the last two days, I rode by or visited at least 5 parks in Salt Lake City and surroundings. All were packed with people of all ages, with picnics, sports, birthdays, and even band practices. Parks aren’t a “nice to have,” as some politicians say. They’re essential community infrastructure
July 21, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Absolutely essential. Libraries too.
Reposted by Jessica
Chancellor Felix Matos Rodríguez became the latest university chief facing hostile questioners, where his non-responses did little to satisfy House Republicans while they also infuriated the union representing faculty members.
House Republicans Grill CUNY Chief on Campus Antisemitism Claims
Chancellor Felix Matos Rodríguez became the latest university chief facing hostile questioners, where his non-responses did little to satisfy House Republicans while they also infuriated the union…
buff.ly
July 16, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Chancellor Felix Matos Rodríguez became the latest university chief facing hostile questioners, where his non-responses did little to satisfy House Republicans while they also infuriated the union representing faculty members.
The org that helped get Joselyn come home: www.mitlalli.org/about
July 16, 2025 at 9:18 PM
The org that helped get Joselyn come home: www.mitlalli.org/about
Reposted by Jessica
In case you’ve missed some of the great middle grade books from diverse voices this year here’s a huge stack of my favourite ones!
July 6, 2025 at 7:03 PM
In case you’ve missed some of the great middle grade books from diverse voices this year here’s a huge stack of my favourite ones!
Good. I hope to see the end of mayoral control in education and a new collaborative process, maybe even community control.
In May, Mamdani said he’d work with the teachers’ union and other stakeholders to formulate a new governance model and “chart a new course in this city that is less about understanding the mayor as a monarch."
Read more: bit.ly/4lCczio
Read more: bit.ly/4lCczio
July 3, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Good. I hope to see the end of mayoral control in education and a new collaborative process, maybe even community control.