|

Community organizing, solidarity play key roles in Minneapolis ESP contract wins

After working for over 300 days without a contract, the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers ESP chapter finally reached a tentative agreement with the district in early May, which bargaining team members described as “the best contract in 25 years.”

|

Sign up for the Education Minnesota booth at the Minnesota State Fair

Shift signups are open for the 2024 Minnesota State Fair! Join us from Thursday, Aug. 22 through Monday, Sept. 2 at our booth in the Education Building. Each year, Education Minnesota members and staff volunteer to produce personalized photo calendars for visitors. The booth also features a different education group each day that showcases their curriculum area or program.

|

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden visits Minnesota to launch “Educators for Biden” campaign

Fellow educator and First Lady of the United States, Dr. Jill Biden, led a rally to formally launch the “Educators for Biden” campaign with Education Minnesota. Dr. Biden, along with Education Minnesota President Denise Specht, NEA President Becky Pringle and AFT President Randi Weingarten, spoke to members about the historic public education investments the Biden administration has made.

|

Part-time field program allows for next step in union advocacy

Education Minnesota Aspiring Educators (EMAE) have been advocating for policies that will help reduce the teacher shortage by attracting more students into the education field. Since the number of students entering an education program has decreased steadily since 2017, attracting more students to these programs is essential for ensuring that all Minnesota students have access to high-quality educators.

|

Education Minnesota Aspiring Educators advocatefor paid student teaching

Education Minnesota Aspiring Educators (EMAE) have been advocating for policies that will help reduce the teacher shortage by attracting more students into the education field. Since the number of students entering an education program has decreased steadily since 2017, attracting more students to these programs is essential for ensuring that all Minnesota students have access to high-quality educators.

|

2024 legislative session updates and progress report

State budgets are set in odd years, with even years being focused more on policy and small surplus investment. Before the legislative session ends on May 20, legislators will try to pass a modest budget, investing one-time money into education, pensions, health care, labor, transportation and more while also focusing on making needed policy-only changes in state law. Due to a “structural imbalance” in the state budget, legislative leaders settled on a modest budget to allow for stable state funding in future years.

|

Local ESP chapters make gains at the bargaining table

After historic investments by the Legislature during the 2023 session, Education Minnesota advised local unions to build momentum as they headed into contract negotiations. Under the unifying campaign, “We’re Worth More,” we encouraged members to bargain boldly—and our ESP locals rose to the challenge.

|

Delegates chart course for union work at 2024 Representative Convention

Fellow educator and First Lady of the United States, Dr. Jill Biden, led a rally to formally launch the “Educators for Biden” campaign with Education Minnesota. Dr. Biden, along with Education Minnesota President Denise Specht, NEA President Becky Pringle and AFT President Randi Weingarten, spoke to members about the historic public education investments the Biden administration has made.