Spring 2021
Cover Story: The advocate’s advocate
From the time he entered the classroom in 1958, Ulysses Floyd has been working to improve conditions for Florida’s students and educators. Read more…
Andrew Spar: We continue the fight for Florida to ‘Fund Our Future’
So many of the events of the past year have had a profound effect on our lives. I’d like to begin with a review.Last January, we came to Tallahassee and… Read more…
Carole Gauronskas: Amid much sadness, a bright note for ESPs
[caption id="attachment_64631" align="alignright" width="200"] Carole Gauronskas, FEA Vice President Gauronskas became the first education staff professional elected as an officer of the FEA in 2018. She previously worked as an… Read more…
Nandi Riley: Looking forward to the new normal, and expecting change
[caption id="attachment_64632" align="alignright" width="200"] Nandi RileyFEA Secretary-TreasurerPrior to becoming secretary-treasurer of FEA in 2020, Riley taught English at Florida A&M University and high school in Gadsden County, where she first… Read more…
We’re working to bring you new learning opportunities
FEA’s Professional Development and Educational Research Department is in full Zoom and here to assist, support and provide you the resources you need. We are working with locals to build… Read more…
In 2021, an opportunity for real change
In this issue of The Advocate, we’re looking at the ISSUES where we hope to gain ground in the 2021 legislative session and at a few of us — the… Read more…
In advance of session, work for faculty and students is well underway
Also on this page: UFF Names New Exec Director Longtime UFF Senator Retires By Karen Morian, Ph.D., UFF PresidentWelcome to 2021! I know we were all happy to see the… Read more…
The road to advocacy
Thousands of members and leaders help move our unions’ work forward every day — advocating for our students, their colleagues and Florida’s public schools. Here, five teachers and education staff… Read more…
UFF pushes to defend members, grow chapters
With weekly United Faculty of Florida (UFF) chapter coordinating meetings, member town halls and multiple crisis organizing campaigns on local campuses, UFF chapters faced challenges like never before over the… Read more…
For at least a few minutes a day, take care of you
Time and again we hear: Nothing is more important for our students’ success inside our classrooms and schools than well-prepared and experienced staff. But let’s be honest: Even in “normal”… Read more…
Covid-19: Know your rights
Since March 2020, the virus has been a huge disruption to our way of life and has forced educators to navigate unchartered waters when it comes to working conditions and… Read more…
Despite challenges, Florida’s educators will succeed
By Jairus R. Williams, Student FEA PresidentGreetings, Florida Education Association! As we entered the spring semester, we had the unique experience of greeting one another yet again in our virtual… Read more…
It was a year of ‘firsts’ and political engagement for FEA-Retired
By Janice Poirier, President FEA-RetiredThis past year has been difficult to say the least. The members of FEA-Retired are resilient and forged ahead. We stayed safe and held our meetings… Read more…
Catching up with Fedrick Ingram
Also on this page Pat Wright retires In memoriam: Those we’ve lost to Covid-19 In a first for the Florida Education Association (FEA), our former president is now in one… Read more…
Op-ed: New bill threatens federal financial aid for Florida’s students
February 23, 2022
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…
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UFF leads fight for intellectual freedom
November 11, 2021
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
November 8, 2021
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
April 27, 2022
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
April 22, 2022
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…
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New law promotes falsehoods about schools, will aggravate shortage of teachers and staff
March 28, 2022
By signing the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, Gov. DeSantis has put a political agenda ahead of what’s best for our students.