Lesson Plans & Labor
@chalkandchange.bsky.social
Defender of books, brains, and bargaining rights. Educator. Militant unionist.
It is important to note that only 15,184 CTU members cast (all-slate) ballots in the leadership election on May 16, 2025.
As of the most recent Membership Report at the House of Delegates, CTU has 29,510 members.
As of the most recent Membership Report at the House of Delegates, CTU has 29,510 members.
May 27, 2025 at 11:56 PM
It is important to note that only 15,184 CTU members cast (all-slate) ballots in the leadership election on May 16, 2025.
As of the most recent Membership Report at the House of Delegates, CTU has 29,510 members.
As of the most recent Membership Report at the House of Delegates, CTU has 29,510 members.
My friend in Germany heard about the @ctulocal1.bsky.social vote to ratify the TA. When he heard the voter turnout was 85%, he said, "That's impressive, even for unions."
My response: We are the most militant union in the entire U.S., so I'm proud we get to show the world how it's done."
My response: We are the most militant union in the entire U.S., so I'm proud we get to show the world how it's done."
April 14, 2025 at 11:54 PM
My friend in Germany heard about the @ctulocal1.bsky.social vote to ratify the TA. When he heard the voter turnout was 85%, he said, "That's impressive, even for unions."
My response: We are the most militant union in the entire U.S., so I'm proud we get to show the world how it's done."
My response: We are the most militant union in the entire U.S., so I'm proud we get to show the world how it's done."
Due to CPS using its $2.8B in COVID ESSER funds to make historic investments in instructional staffing...
...CPS students' scores in reading and math outpaced other large, urban school district peers
It's as if funding instructional positions and resourcing schools pays off in academic outcomes
...CPS students' scores in reading and math outpaced other large, urban school district peers
It's as if funding instructional positions and resourcing schools pays off in academic outcomes
March 30, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Due to CPS using its $2.8B in COVID ESSER funds to make historic investments in instructional staffing...
...CPS students' scores in reading and math outpaced other large, urban school district peers
It's as if funding instructional positions and resourcing schools pays off in academic outcomes
...CPS students' scores in reading and math outpaced other large, urban school district peers
It's as if funding instructional positions and resourcing schools pays off in academic outcomes
Let's start at the state level
Illinois has a GDP per capita of $77,000 USD (~13th overall)
The state spends an average of $15,746 USD per pupil
This gives IL a Cost per Pupil (CPP) to GDP per capita ratio of 0.024 (13th overall)
i.e. state-level investment is on par with economic production
Illinois has a GDP per capita of $77,000 USD (~13th overall)
The state spends an average of $15,746 USD per pupil
This gives IL a Cost per Pupil (CPP) to GDP per capita ratio of 0.024 (13th overall)
i.e. state-level investment is on par with economic production
March 30, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Let's start at the state level
Illinois has a GDP per capita of $77,000 USD (~13th overall)
The state spends an average of $15,746 USD per pupil
This gives IL a Cost per Pupil (CPP) to GDP per capita ratio of 0.024 (13th overall)
i.e. state-level investment is on par with economic production
Illinois has a GDP per capita of $77,000 USD (~13th overall)
The state spends an average of $15,746 USD per pupil
This gives IL a Cost per Pupil (CPP) to GDP per capita ratio of 0.024 (13th overall)
i.e. state-level investment is on par with economic production
Throughout the @ctulocal1.bsky.social 2025 contract campaign for Schools Students Deserve, opponents have often claimed that Chicago Public Schools spends too much per pupil (roughly $30k/year) while having poor academic outcomes in reading and math.
Here's why that is absolute rubbish, a thread:
Here's why that is absolute rubbish, a thread:
March 30, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Throughout the @ctulocal1.bsky.social 2025 contract campaign for Schools Students Deserve, opponents have often claimed that Chicago Public Schools spends too much per pupil (roughly $30k/year) while having poor academic outcomes in reading and math.
Here's why that is absolute rubbish, a thread:
Here's why that is absolute rubbish, a thread:
I'm reading Karen Lewis' memoir published by @haymarketbooks.org, and I just found out her parents attended Lincoln University, an HBCU in Jeff City, MO. I walked that campus in December '24, and I felt how special the location was then, but after reading this now, even more so.
March 21, 2025 at 1:06 AM
I'm reading Karen Lewis' memoir published by @haymarketbooks.org, and I just found out her parents attended Lincoln University, an HBCU in Jeff City, MO. I walked that campus in December '24, and I felt how special the location was then, but after reading this now, even more so.
Donald Trump and Lisa McMahon's "Final Mission" for the U.S. Department of Education will cut:
$1.62 BILLION from services that directly support K-12 students, and
$64 BILLION from higher education.
Total cuts are estimated to be roughly $66 BILLION.
$1.62 BILLION from services that directly support K-12 students, and
$64 BILLION from higher education.
Total cuts are estimated to be roughly $66 BILLION.
March 6, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Donald Trump and Lisa McMahon's "Final Mission" for the U.S. Department of Education will cut:
$1.62 BILLION from services that directly support K-12 students, and
$64 BILLION from higher education.
Total cuts are estimated to be roughly $66 BILLION.
$1.62 BILLION from services that directly support K-12 students, and
$64 BILLION from higher education.
Total cuts are estimated to be roughly $66 BILLION.
If you are in Chicago, come to this event at @ctulocal1.bsky.social headquarters on March 19! The incredible @eveewing.bsky.social will be there to talk with the amazing Jesse Hagopian about their respective books, Original Sins and Teach Truth!
February 20, 2025 at 2:03 AM
If you are in Chicago, come to this event at @ctulocal1.bsky.social headquarters on March 19! The incredible @eveewing.bsky.social will be there to talk with the amazing Jesse Hagopian about their respective books, Original Sins and Teach Truth!
Like, how much more ammo can you give to the opposition caucus when your friends come out and say things like this?
February 19, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Like, how much more ammo can you give to the opposition caucus when your friends come out and say things like this?
The REAL slate announced their candidates for CTU leadership:
➡️ Erika Meza for President
➡️ Alison Eichhorn for VP
➡️ Maura Williams for Financial Secretary
➡️Lynese Britton for recording secretary
➡️ Erika Meza for President
➡️ Alison Eichhorn for VP
➡️ Maura Williams for Financial Secretary
➡️Lynese Britton for recording secretary
February 17, 2025 at 10:03 PM
The REAL slate announced their candidates for CTU leadership:
➡️ Erika Meza for President
➡️ Alison Eichhorn for VP
➡️ Maura Williams for Financial Secretary
➡️Lynese Britton for recording secretary
➡️ Erika Meza for President
➡️ Alison Eichhorn for VP
➡️ Maura Williams for Financial Secretary
➡️Lynese Britton for recording secretary
Don't get it twisted: this is part of the voucher-privatization movement of public schools. Zero oversight into academic performance & zero oversight into financial health of institutions that receive public tax dollars = zero accountability to taxpayers
www.propublica.org/article/depa...
www.propublica.org/article/depa...
February 16, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Don't get it twisted: this is part of the voucher-privatization movement of public schools. Zero oversight into academic performance & zero oversight into financial health of institutions that receive public tax dollars = zero accountability to taxpayers
www.propublica.org/article/depa...
www.propublica.org/article/depa...
So, Martinez goes to court after being fired by his bosses (Chicago Board of Education) to argue he is the sole negotiator with @ctulocal1.bsky.social and instead of devoting himself 100% to what he went to court for, he has been actively planning his exit by applying elsewhere. Speaks volumes.
February 13, 2025 at 12:36 AM
So, Martinez goes to court after being fired by his bosses (Chicago Board of Education) to argue he is the sole negotiator with @ctulocal1.bsky.social and instead of devoting himself 100% to what he went to court for, he has been actively planning his exit by applying elsewhere. Speaks volumes.
“Taking lethal weapons from those who have already done harm and are in immediate and present danger to do further harm is simply common sense,” Pritzker said on Monday.
Will officers who are found guilty of domestic abuse no longer be able to carry firearms on the job?
Will officers who are found guilty of domestic abuse no longer be able to carry firearms on the job?
February 11, 2025 at 4:05 AM
“Taking lethal weapons from those who have already done harm and are in immediate and present danger to do further harm is simply common sense,” Pritzker said on Monday.
Will officers who are found guilty of domestic abuse no longer be able to carry firearms on the job?
Will officers who are found guilty of domestic abuse no longer be able to carry firearms on the job?
Vogue to declare fascism has arrived in the U.S. like new, rather than in its DNA. Fascism is often defined as a far-right, oppressive ideology (true), but the U.S. has been practicing it against Black & Indigenous people since it's founding: g*nocide, internment, Jim Crow, etc.
February 7, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Vogue to declare fascism has arrived in the U.S. like new, rather than in its DNA. Fascism is often defined as a far-right, oppressive ideology (true), but the U.S. has been practicing it against Black & Indigenous people since it's founding: g*nocide, internment, Jim Crow, etc.
I love a good mug
(posted before, not my only but my favorite mug)
(posted before, not my only but my favorite mug)
February 6, 2025 at 12:07 PM
I love a good mug
(posted before, not my only but my favorite mug)
(posted before, not my only but my favorite mug)
2. Claiming accurate scholarship and teaching of the horrors of American slavery is an attempt to "victimize" American whites.
Think: Trump's push to remove the teaching of Black history from military and K-12 schools (like AP Black history).
Notice: similarity to AfD
2/2
Think: Trump's push to remove the teaching of Black history from military and K-12 schools (like AP Black history).
Notice: similarity to AfD
2/2
January 29, 2025 at 1:28 AM
2. Claiming accurate scholarship and teaching of the horrors of American slavery is an attempt to "victimize" American whites.
Think: Trump's push to remove the teaching of Black history from military and K-12 schools (like AP Black history).
Notice: similarity to AfD
2/2
Think: Trump's push to remove the teaching of Black history from military and K-12 schools (like AP Black history).
Notice: similarity to AfD
2/2
Two recent, relevant ways a mythologized history has been pushed to avoid inconveniences:
1. The building of Confederate statues circa 1900s to create a "heroic" Southern past that deemphasizes the horrors of slavery and committing treason against one's country.
1/2
1. The building of Confederate statues circa 1900s to create a "heroic" Southern past that deemphasizes the horrors of slavery and committing treason against one's country.
1/2
January 29, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Two recent, relevant ways a mythologized history has been pushed to avoid inconveniences:
1. The building of Confederate statues circa 1900s to create a "heroic" Southern past that deemphasizes the horrors of slavery and committing treason against one's country.
1/2
1. The building of Confederate statues circa 1900s to create a "heroic" Southern past that deemphasizes the horrors of slavery and committing treason against one's country.
1/2
Pay close attention to this re: attacks on teachers, curriculum, and claims of "indoctrination" these next 4 years. Any real history will be called a conspiracy against "real America(ns)" & there will be an effort to invent mythical histories that displace inconvenient realities
January 28, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Pay close attention to this re: attacks on teachers, curriculum, and claims of "indoctrination" these next 4 years. Any real history will be called a conspiracy against "real America(ns)" & there will be an effort to invent mythical histories that displace inconvenient realities
Currently reading How Fascism Works: The Politics of US and THEM by Jason Stanley. This early passage puts into perspective why so many people before & after Trump's inauguration couldn't stop themselves from referring to him as a mythical "Daddy" figure
January 28, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Currently reading How Fascism Works: The Politics of US and THEM by Jason Stanley. This early passage puts into perspective why so many people before & after Trump's inauguration couldn't stop themselves from referring to him as a mythical "Daddy" figure
Great @haveyouheard.bsky.social recently covered the populist right-wing rejection of vouchers expansion in TX. One interviewee accurately called vouchers a redistribution of taxpayer $ to the rich.
Chi Edu peeps: give it a listen & follow @jenniferberkshire.bsky.social @jackschneider.bsky.social
Chi Edu peeps: give it a listen & follow @jenniferberkshire.bsky.social @jackschneider.bsky.social
January 26, 2025 at 4:58 AM
Great @haveyouheard.bsky.social recently covered the populist right-wing rejection of vouchers expansion in TX. One interviewee accurately called vouchers a redistribution of taxpayer $ to the rich.
Chi Edu peeps: give it a listen & follow @jenniferberkshire.bsky.social @jackschneider.bsky.social
Chi Edu peeps: give it a listen & follow @jenniferberkshire.bsky.social @jackschneider.bsky.social
What happens when all the dangerous criminals just got pardoned and got to return to their paramilitary groups?
Asking for a friend.
Asking for a friend.
January 25, 2025 at 1:19 AM
What happens when all the dangerous criminals just got pardoned and got to return to their paramilitary groups?
Asking for a friend.
Asking for a friend.
Thanks to @sarahdashji.bsky.social for capturing this @ctulocal1.bsky.social sign at the 'Stop the Trump Agenda' rally in downtown Chicago on MLK Day Jan. 20th. Here's what CTU teachers are asking for in this contract campaign:
January 22, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Thanks to @sarahdashji.bsky.social for capturing this @ctulocal1.bsky.social sign at the 'Stop the Trump Agenda' rally in downtown Chicago on MLK Day Jan. 20th. Here's what CTU teachers are asking for in this contract campaign:
A reminder to dress extra warm and head to 230 S. Dearborn St. in downtown Chicago tomorrow, 1/20, MLK Day & Inauguration Day to protest Trump's agenda.
The following day, the Trump administration is reportedly going to engage in mass deportation raids, potentially lasting a week long.
The following day, the Trump administration is reportedly going to engage in mass deportation raids, potentially lasting a week long.
January 20, 2025 at 3:23 AM
A reminder to dress extra warm and head to 230 S. Dearborn St. in downtown Chicago tomorrow, 1/20, MLK Day & Inauguration Day to protest Trump's agenda.
The following day, the Trump administration is reportedly going to engage in mass deportation raids, potentially lasting a week long.
The following day, the Trump administration is reportedly going to engage in mass deportation raids, potentially lasting a week long.
