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The AFT has always been a solutions-driven union, and our new campaign, launched during TEACH on July 21, proves it once again with a fresh, practical approach to strengthening public education. As AFT President Randi Weingarten pointed out during her keynote speech, the $5 million, yearlong campaign, “Real Solutions for Kids and Communities,” stands up against attacks on public schools and offers real-world solutions to build up, rather than break down, our communities.

Summer is upon us, and parents, children and teachers are winding down from what has been an exhausting and fully operational school year—the first since the devastating pandemic. The long-lasting impact of COVID-19 has affected our students’ and families’ well-being and ignited the politics surrounding public schools. All signs point to the coming school year unfolding with the same sound and fury, and if extremist culture warriors have their way, being even more divisive and stressful.

Attacks on public education in America by extremists and culture-war peddling politicians have reached new heights (“lows” may be more apt), but they are not new. The difference today is that the attacks are intended not just to undermine public education but to destroy it.

Seven La Joya AFT members visited Washington, D.C. July 15-18, 2009. Four members went to get trained in the Membership Service Specialists program. Ms. Mary Sauceda and Mr. Joe Castro will be working part-time with our local to better serve our members. In the last two years our local has grown 54% in membership. We must be doing something good for our members to be experirncing tremendous growth. Ms. Sauceda and Mr. Castro will be assisiting Mr. JJ Luna, Staff Rep in serving our members.