NYSUT officers, including Lee Cutler, above, and Maria Neira, left, led discussions and workshops at July's AFT TEACH — Together Educating America's Children — conference attended by more than 2,500 educators. Highlights included the Common Core State Standards, teacher development and evaluation systems and labor-management collaboration.
AFT President Randi Weingarten rejected plans by so-called education "reformers" who denigrate teachers, defund public education and ignore the lessons of top-performing countries.
"By standing for quality and standing with community, we build the foundation of educational opportunity that all our students deserve," Weingarten said. The conference, formerly known as QuEST, is held every two years.