Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT)
LightNews LightNews
banner
pftlocal3.bsky.social
Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT)
@pftlocal3.bsky.social
1.2K followers 420 following 500 posts
The PFT represents 14,000 educators working in the School District of Philadelphia. We're fighting for more public education funding & a better world for workers. Nothing about us, without us ✊🏽

PFT.org #PHLed
Posts Replies Media Videos
pftlocal3.bsky.social
We 💞 that PFT members at Kenderton Elementary model empathy and kindness for their students every day. Public educators don't just shape minds; they inspire future leaders, organizers, and healers. Thank you for all that you do, and enjoy your well-deserved weekend! #RedFriday #PhlEd #PTFproud
PFT members at Kenderton Elementary wear red in solidarity for Red Friday.
November 14, 2025 at 3:41 PM
pftlocal3.bsky.social
After more than four months of political dysfunction and gridlock, Pennsylvania has a budget!

✅ More K-12 & adequacy gap funding
✅ More student teacher subsidies
✅ Cyber charter reform
❌ More private school voucher $
graphic sharing a statement from PFT President Arthur Steinberg that reads in part, "On behalf of the 14,000 educators represented by PFT Local 3, I’m incredibly grateful to the Democratic leadership teams of the Pennsylvania House and Senate for holding the line on public education funding. Governor Shapiro’s education priorities are largely intact, with badly needed increases approved for historically underfunded school districts including... graphic sharing a statement from PFT President Arthur Steinberg that reads in part, "the School District of Philadelphia. Our currently enrolled students along with the next generation of public school students deserve bold investments that close the so-called adequacy gap between schools located in wealthy communities and schools serving poorer communities. “School districts across the Commonwealth that have been begging for cyber charter payment reform were heard in this budget." graphic sharing a statement from PFT President Arthur Steinberg that reads in part, “We are, unsurprisingly, disappointed by Republican legislators’ insistence on diverting an additional $50 million in public education funding to private schools. Our position is unchanged: sending more than half a billion dollars annually to private and religious schools that discriminate against students flies directly in the face of the General Assembly’s obligation to adequately and equitably fund public education in Pennsylvania.” meme of Nicole Kidman expressing relief following her divorce from Tom Cruise
November 12, 2025 at 8:22 PM
pftlocal3.bsky.social
Spongebob meme of Squidward looking out the window at Spongebob and Patrick running and having fun
November 11, 2025 at 7:09 PM
pftlocal3.bsky.social
Today on Veterans Day, we honor and thank all veterans for their service, courage, and dedication. 🦅🗽

PFT proudly recognizes the many educators and community members who have served our country. #VeteransDay
Graphic for Veterans Day featuring an illustration of a soldier saluting against a stylized American flag background. The text reads: “pft.org,” “Honoring those who served,” “Veterans Day,” and “November 11, 2025.” The design uses red, white, and blue colors with the PFT logo at the top left.
November 11, 2025 at 12:52 PM
pftlocal3.bsky.social
PFT members at John Marshall Elementary also collected food to send home with students whose families rely on SNAP. Philly educators dig deep for their students always - especially when they're being harmed by political games in Washington and Harrisburg! ❤️💪🏿 #PhlEd #PFTstrong
PFT members at John Marshall Elementary fill bags with groceries to send home with students whose families are missing SNAP benefits due to the GOP shutdown. PFT members at John Marshall Elementary fill bags with groceries to send home with students whose families are missing SNAP benefits due to the GOP shutdown.
November 10, 2025 at 7:07 PM
pftlocal3.bsky.social
🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 PFT members at Kearny School for stepping up when DC politics fail our communities. Check out these snaps of our members putting together groceries to send home to students' families! #GOPshutdown #Trumpshutdown
November 10, 2025 at 6:50 PM
pftlocal3.bsky.social
Happy #RedFriday from Bache-Martin! PFT members know that a growing, thriving city is also a welcoming city.

While politicians in HBG & DC keep failing our communities, Philly educators continue to show up for students and fight for policies that ensure kids' needs are met ❤️💪🏾 #PhlEd #PFTstrong
PFT members at Bache-Martin Elementary wear red in solidarity for Red Friday.
November 7, 2025 at 3:18 PM
pftlocal3.bsky.social
November marks Native American Heritage Month. We honor and celebrate Indigenous communities whose stories, knowledge, and leadership continue to shape our city and country.

Let’s commit to learning, teaching, and standing in solidarity with Native peoples. #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth
Graphic for Native American Heritage Month by PFT. The background features a tan woven tribal pattern with a gray semicircle at the bottom. It reads: “November is Native American Heritage Month.” “Did you know?” – In 1990, President George H. W. Bush designated November as National American Indian Heritage Month—now Native American Heritage Month. – There are 574 federally recognized tribes in the U.S. – Teaching Native history year-round helps challenge stereotypes and honor Indigenous resilience.
November 5, 2025 at 5:11 PM
pftlocal3.bsky.social
A clean sweep for American democracy 🧹🧹🧹 and not just in the place where it was born! Voters here and in CA, GA, AL, VA, and NYC resoundingly rejected MAGA authoritarians and their billionaire funders, including public education hater Jeffrey Yass! 🗽🦅🥨 #PAvotes #PA2025 #YesNotYass #NoKings
Graphic featuring the PFT logo congratulating all endorsed statewide judicial candidates on their victories in PA.
November 5, 2025 at 1:13 PM
pftlocal3.bsky.social
Election Day is here! 🗳🦅🗽 Polls are open from 7AM to 8PM in Pennsylvania. If you’re in line by 8PM, you still get to vote.

Every vote counts—for our classrooms, our students, and our city. Make a plan to show up! #PAvotes #PA2025 #YesNotYass
Graphic with a light yellow background and illustrations of a ballot box, megaphone, voting hand, and checklist. Large blue text in the center reads: “PENNSYLVANIA, TODAY IS ELECTION DAY!” Below it, smaller text says: “Polls are open 7AM–8PM. If you’re in line by 8PM, you can still vote.” At the bottom center is the PFT logo.
November 4, 2025 at 12:14 PM
pftlocal3.bsky.social
The scariest thing this Halloween? Sitting out this election. 👻

Our public schools and our communities depend on us showing up. Let’s make our voices heard for our students, our classrooms, and our Commonwealth. #PAvotes #PA2025 #VoteYesNotYass
A Halloween-themed voter reminder graphic. The top section features spiderwebs and a hanging spider with the PFT logo. Large black and red text reads: “The scariest thing this Halloween? Sitting out this election. SHOW UP AND VOTE!” Below, it lists important voting dates: Nov 4: Last day for County Board of Elections to receive completed mail-in and civilian absentee ballots (must be received by 8 PM). Nov 4: General Election Day. Polls are open 7 AM–8 PM. If you’re in line by 8 PM, you can still vote. At the bottom, white text on a blue background says: “Let’s make our voices heard for our schools and communities,” next to an illustration of a hand placing a ballot into a box.
October 31, 2025 at 2:23 PM
pftlocal3.bsky.social
There's nothing spookier than anti-worker billionaires like Jeffrey Yass trying to buy our state courts 🧛🏼⚰️🧌 ....but The People have the power to stop them!

Vote YES to retain Justices Donohue, Dougherty, & Wecht, as well as Judges Wojcik & Dubow.

Vote FOR Stella Tsai and Brandon Neuman!
graphic with the PFT logo that reads, "Horrified by the anti-worker billionaires trying to buy our courts? Vote Yes Not Yass" alongside a photo of billionaire Jeffrey Yass and several headlines about how Yass has tried to influence judicial elections with his wealth. Additional text reads, "Vote YES to retain Donohue, Dougherty, Wecht, Wojcik and Dubow. Vote FOR Stella Tsai and Brandon Neuman," above individual photos of the judges up for retention or election on November 4.
October 29, 2025 at 1:30 PM
pftlocal3.bsky.social
Happy weekend to all, from the #PublicSchoolProud educators of the PFT ❤️💪🏽 #RedFriday
PFT members at Patterson Elementary School in Southwest Philly wear red in solidarity. reply thread from @greenhombre.bsky.social: Weekends. Americans have no idea how many of us died on the front lines just for two days off. Labor history is American history.
October 24, 2025 at 7:26 PM
pftlocal3.bsky.social
Thank you @rweingarten.bsky.social for writing "Why Fascists Fear Teachers," which contextualizes decades of political attacks on public educators and unions, and explains our role as nation- and hope-builders. Fantastic event with Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson! ❤️💪🏿
AFT President Randi Weingarten, PFT President Arthur Steinberg, and City Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson hold up copies of the new book, "Why Fascists Fear Teachers," at an event at the PFT offices in Philly. AFT President Randi Weingarten and City Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson in conversation about Randi's new book, "Why Fascists Fear Teachers," at an event at the PFT offices in Philly. AFT President Randi Weingarten and City Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson in conversation about Randi's new book, "Why Fascists Fear Teachers," at an event at the PFT offices in Philly. AFT President Randi Weingarten and City Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson in conversation about Randi's new book, "Why Fascists Fear Teachers," at an event at the PFT offices in Philly.
October 24, 2025 at 12:14 AM
pftlocal3.bsky.social
Happy Diwali! May this Festival of Lights bring joy, peace, and hope to you and your loved ones. ✨

Let’s continue to highlight the people and progress that strengthen classrooms and communities across Philly. #Diwali
“Happy Diwali” text at the top with a single glowing oil lamp (diya) in the center. The background is light gray with red and gold floral patterns in the corners. Below, text reads: “May this Festival of Lights bring joy and peace to your life.” The PFT logo is at the bottom.
October 20, 2025 at 1:09 PM
pftlocal3.bsky.social
MEMBERS: Follow these instructions to calculate the retroactive pay you are owed by the School District under our new CBA. Any questions? Ask your reps. #PhlEd #PFTstrong #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs
How to calculate your retroactive pay: Subtract ‘Base Pay 10 Month (or 12 month) Earnings Results’ (10/24) from ‘Base Pay 10 Month (or 12 month) Earnings Results’ (10/10). This is the 3% raise (biweekly). The retroactive pay is from 9/1-10/3 (5 weeks or 2.5 pay periods). Multiply the raise by 2.5 to calculate your owed retroactive pay. The raise for this pay period (10/6-10/17) is included in this pay’s base pay. Example: Senior Career Teacher $5,125 - $4,976 = $149 * 2.5 = $372.50
October 19, 2025 at 5:43 PM
pftlocal3.bsky.social
Solidarity is how we win! Gorgeous day to fight for our democracy, shoulder to shoulder with friends and allies. As our LeShawna Coleman told the crowd: Protest is powerful and fortifying. Now, go AND do! #NoKings
PFT members marching in the No Kings mass protest. PA Rep. Morgan Cephas, U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, Philly Councilmember Nic O'Rourke, and PFT Chief of Staff LeShawna Coleman at the No Kings protest in Philly. PFT Chief of Staff LeShawna Coleman addresses the crowd at the No Kings march and rally in Independence Mall. PA Senator Vincent Hughes calls up to acknowledge Indivisible Philly volunteers
October 18, 2025 at 8:34 PM
pftlocal3.bsky.social
Keep it cute, Philly! 😉🥨🦅 #NoKings
People dancing in inflatable character costumes including the Stay Puft marshmallow at the No Kings march in Philly People dancing and chanting at the start of the No Kings march in Philly People dancing and chanting at the start of the No Kings march in Philly. A marcher waves a PFT flag. A marcher holds up a sign that reads, Free speech is not just speech that you agree with
October 18, 2025 at 4:23 PM
pftlocal3.bsky.social
Happy #RedFriday from our Itinerant Gifted Teachers! All kids deserve education and supports that meet their individual needs.

We're so proud to be a union that digs deep and fights hard for Philly public school students, because they deserve the world ❤️💪🏽 #PFTstrong #PublicSchoolProud
PFT members who work as itinerant gifted teachers for the School District of Philadelphia wear red in solidarity
October 17, 2025 at 7:22 PM
pftlocal3.bsky.social
Solidarity is the only way we defeat MAGA's authoritarian power grab. Join us on Saturday to declare NO KINGS in America, no militarized invasion of our cities, no starvation of public schools, no censorship of our speech, and no kidnapping of immigrant students or families. #NoKings
Graphic promoting this Saturday's No Kings protest in Philly, where participants will march from City Hall to Independence Mall.
October 16, 2025 at 12:49 PM
pftlocal3.bsky.social
We honor #IndigenousPeoplesDay by recognizing the original peoples of this land and their ongoing contributions to our communities and classrooms.

As educators, we commit to teaching truth, uplifting Indigenous voices, and continuing the work toward justice and understanding.
Graphic with a red background featuring the PFT logo at the top. Large white text reads “Indigenous People’s Day.” Below, smaller text says, “As educators, we commit to teaching truth, uplifting Indigenous voices, and continuing the work toward justice.” A white-outlined box highlights the date “October 13, 2025.” The bottom of the design includes colorful circular patterns in red, green, and yellow, inspired by Indigenous motifs.
October 13, 2025 at 2:31 PM
pftlocal3.bsky.social
PFT members at Thurgood Marshall know that we can withstand any storm if we stick together. Solidarity helped us win a contract that protects us from skyrocketing health care costs; there will be NO increase in our existing premiums for the next 3 years! #PhlEd #PFTstrong #RedFriday
PFT members at Thurgood Marshall High School wear PFT red in solidarity for Red Fridays
October 10, 2025 at 2:45 PM
pftlocal3.bsky.social
MEMBERS: We have secured key revisions to the School District's liability form for employee-assigned laptops that will protect you from unfair imposition of costs or other discipline.

For more information: pft.org/news/new-rev... #PhlEd #PFTstrong #ItsBetterInAUnion
graphic with PFT members shown in the background. Text explains that the revised liability terms of staff-assigned District laptops will make it clear that staff will not be charged for stolen or lost laptops when a police report or serious incident report is filed; to allow for lost or stolen laptop replacements to be delivered to schools at the Office of Information Technology’s earliest convenience; and to make it clear that the District will cover the cost of repair or replacement upon receipt of a documented serious incident report filed by the employee when a laptop is damaged through no fault of the employee.
October 9, 2025 at 3:20 PM
pftlocal3.bsky.social
Your vote = your voice! 🗳️

Mark your calendar with these key election dates and be sure you’re registered, ready, and voting by November 4. Let’s show up for our students, our schools, and our communities.

More info here: www.pa.gov/agencies/vote #PAvotes #PA2025
Graphic with a red background titled “Key 2025 Election Dates for Pennsylvania” with the PFT logo. A box lists important voting deadlines: Oct 20: Last day to register before the General Election Oct 28: Last day to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot Nov 4: Last day for County Board of Elections to receive completed mail-in and absentee ballots (by 8 PM) Nov 4: General Election Day Below the text are two photos: on the left, a group of people holding PFT signs standing in front of a mural. On the right, a group of PFT members canvassing.
October 9, 2025 at 12:14 PM
pftlocal3.bsky.social
October is LGBTQ+ History Month! 🌈 We honor the activists, educators, and workers who have shaped history and continue to inspire us today. It’s a time to celebrate progress while recommitting to the fight for justice, diversity, and inclusion in our schools, workplaces, and communities.✨
A graphic with rainbow arcs across the top left and bottom right corners. In the center, bold black text reads: “LGBTQ+ History Month.” Below, it says “October 2025” and “Standing for justice, diversity, and inclusion in every school, workplace, and community.” In the top right corner is the PFT logo.
October 6, 2025 at 3:10 PM