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FEA in the News
With nearly 4,500 vacancies, Florida faces a massive teacher shortage
… Cathy Boehme, a lobbyist who represents the Florida Education Association teachers union, described a slow rebound from the teacher shortage that was exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. Read at Creative Loafing Tampa…
12 school districts could lose $200 million for defying ban on mask mandate
Andrew Spar, president of the Florida Education Association, called the move childish and mean-spirited. Read at Click Orlando…
‘The worst we’ve ever seen’: There are 4,200 teacher vacancies across Florida
The state education association (FEA), the union that represents Florida teachers, said openings have never been so high. Read at WTSP Tampa-St. Petersburg…
A report paints a grim picture about Florida’s critical teacher shortage
Cathy Boehme, a lobbyist who represents the Florida Education Association teachers union, described a slow rebound from the teacher shortage that was exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. Read at WUSF Tampa…
Union changes backed in House
“There is simply no reason for this legislation,” said Stephanie Kunkel, a lobbyist for the Florida Education Association teachers union. Read at WPEC Palm Beach County…
Citing burnout, teachers across U.S. plan to leave profession earlier than they hoped: survey
“We really need to see a lot more movement in giving districts and unions the ability to negotiate fair raises for everyone who works in our schools,” said Andrew Spar,… Read at WJXT Jacksonville…
Bonuses Are Nice, Teachers Say. But These Things Are Nicer
Veteran teacher and Brevard Federation of Teachers member Matt Yount explains that real raises are better than one-off bonuses. “If there’s an actual raise, no one really needs a bonus.” Read at Education Week…
“Individual Freedom” Bill to prohibit critical race theory in Florida schools
(T)he Florida Education Association argued it will be one more burden on teachers. “We have a severe teacher shortage, and this bill does nothing to help recruit and train high quality… Read at WJHG Panama City…
Lawmakers discuss legislation prohibiting teaching critical race theory, other ideas that make some feel discomfort
The Florida Education Association opposes the legislation, citing an existing teacher shortage and saying it does nothing to attract new teachers to the classroom. Read at WCJB Gainesville…
‘Objective’ a matter of perspective in education fight
“Effective and engaging teachers know how to facilitate sensitive and age-appropriate conversations without indoctrinating students or imposing their personal views,” said Michael Monroe, a lobbyist representing the Florida Education Association. Read at WJXT Jacksonville…
State shouldn’t push teachers to new professions
At a time when more should be done to hire and keep good schoolteachers, the Legislature seems fixated on making the work of educating the state’s 2.7 million public school students… Read at Ocala Star Banner…
A bill targeting union membership in Florida is getting pushback … again
“This is a bill that’s directly aimed at taking away the freedom of individual teachers and staff who work in our schools, who sacrificed so much in our schools, kept… Read at WUSF Tampa…
School staff vacancies swell, Sarasota and Manatee districts seek hundreds of new hires
The Florida Education Association said there are 5,222 advertised non-instructional positions open across the state – not counting Miami-Dade County. Read at Sarasota Herald-Tribune…
DeSantis: Some school curriculum ‘attack the police,’ ‘talk about defunding’
The Florida Education Association said it’s trying to figure out the schools that DeSantis is talking about. Read at WJXT Jacksonville…
Florida House bill to ban CRT in schools, workplaces advances through committee
(The FEA) said in statement posted on social media, “House Bill 7 serves only to undermine students’ education and further fray the fabric that holds us together as Americans.” Read at Center Square Florida…
Teachers union says Governor’s claim ‘defund the police’ is being taught in schools is a ‘farce’
“Our teachers not only work with law enforcement on a regular basis and I think have close relationships with law enforcement, but a lot of educators are also married to… Read at WAWS Jacksonville…
‘Don’t Say Gay bill’ could could worsen Duval’s teacher shortage, critics say
“The most important issue for the Legislature to address this session is the teacher and staff shortage,” Andrew Spar, president of the Florida Education Association, wrote in a statement. Read at WJCT Jacksonville…
Critical race theory ban moves forward in Florida chambers
“We see a few lawmakers wanting to talk about issues that really drive people out of the profession,” said Andrew Spar, President of the Florida Education Association. Read at WAWS Jacksonville…
Senate bill targeting what teachers can and cannot say gets committee approval
“I don’t think too many people would disagree that the Holocaust was a bad thing, or that slavery was a bad thing. And so this notion that you can’t ever… Read at WINK Fort Myers…
Op-ed: New bill threatens federal financial aid for Florida’s students
This column was originally published on Feb. 20, 2022, by the South Florida Sun Sentinel. By ANDREW GOTHARD, UFF President The beatings will continue until morale improves. Such is the…
Read more about Op-ed: New bill threatens federal financial aid for Florida’s students
UFF leads fight for intellectual freedom
University of Florida students and faculty gather Nov. 12, 2021, to advocate for free speech and academic freedom. The United Faculty of Florida, FEA’s higher education affiliate, has stepped forward…
Celebrating American Education Week
Neighborhood public schools are a vital part of our communities, and about 90 percent of Florida’s students are educated in public schools. Join us in celebrating public education and all…
NEA report: Florida’s teachers still among nation’s worst paid
As inflation grows and despite investments by the Legislature, Florida’s teachers remain stuck near the bottom nationally when it comes to average pay, according to new figures released today by…
Read more about NEA report: Florida’s teachers still among nation’s worst paid
For students to learn anything, Florida needs educators
As Gov. DeSantis today signs HB 7, a bill based on a manufactured political narrative, the Florida Education Association (FEA) must call out the fact that our students would be…
Read more about For students to learn anything, Florida needs educators
New law promotes falsehoods about schools, will aggravate shortage of teachers and staff
By signing the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, Gov. DeSantis has put a political agenda ahead of what’s best for our students.