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Press

For press inquiries, contact: 

Jane Roh, Communications Director
Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT)
o: 215-587-6738
c: 267-648-5166
email: jroh@pft.org


PFT MEMBERS VOTE OVERWHELMINGLY TO ENDORSE HELEN GYM FOR PHILADELPHIA'S NEXT MAYOR

January 23, 2023 This afternoon, after completing a lengthy endorsement process, which included opportunities for every member to vote on an endorsement as well as a Mayoral forum to hear from candidates, PFT President Jerry Jordan hosted a news conference at Heston Elementary School to announce the results. Jordan enthusiastically announced the union's overwhelming support for Helen Gym. Jordan was joined by Heston's staff, and Building Representative Lenora Howard delivered powerful remarks and introduced our candidate for Mayor. Helen Gym spoke about what the endorsement means to her and the work ahead.  Jordan's prepared remarks are below and linked here.  A playback of the event, with remarks by Heston Building Representative Lenora Howard and Mayoral candidate Helen Gym can be viewed here. MORE

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT LAWSUIT CHALLENGING FACILITIES OVERSIGHT LAW

January 20, 2023 In response to the District's announcement of a lawsuit challenging the facilities oversight legislation passed in City Council in May, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement: PHILADELPHIA-- "It is disappointing that the District has chosen to challenge a duly passed law geared precisely towards addressing the ongoing facilities crisis in our schools. For years, this union has fought tirelessly to address the ongoing issues of lead, asbestos, mold, and other environmental hazards. MORE

Meredith Elizalde Shares Poem in Honor of Son Nicolas at CeaseFirePA Vigil

On December 14th, PFT joined CeaseFirePA's vigil in honor of the tenth anniversary of the Sandy Hook mass shooting and in honor of the 15,000 lives of Pennsylvanians stolen by gun violence in the ten years since then.  Speakers at the event included: Roz Pichardo (CeaseFirePA) Chante Love (EMIR Healing Center) Dennis Carradin (The Trauma Survivors Foundation) Meredith Elizalde (mother of Nicolas, and PFT member) Rev. Tonya Waller-Waddy Dr. Dorothy Johnson-Speight (Mothers In Charge) Adam Garber (CeaseFirePA) Michael Reed At the vigil, Meredith Elizalde read a poem she authored in honor of her son Nicolas, "What Does the Green Bird See?" Meredith began by saying, "Dedicated to Nick Elizalde: The greatest honor of my life was to be your mother.  The second greatest honor of my life was to hold you as you died.  May we all be blessed to see the world and our role in it, as you did.  Rest in power." MORE

LeShawna Coleman and Gemayel Keyes featured in American Educator: Philadelphia's Paraprofessional-to-Teacher Pipeline

December 2022 In the Winter issue of American Educator, PFT staff representative LeShawna Coleman and teacher resident Gemayel Keyes delve into the PFT paraprofessionals pathway program. A must read! MORE

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON SHOOTING OUTSIDE OF OVERBROOK HIGH SCHOOL

November 23, 2022 In response to the shooting outside of Overbrook High School at dismissal today, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement: PHILADELPHIA—"The ongoing scourge of gun violence continues to plague our city and our nation. I am enraged by the shooting outside of Overbrook High School this afternoon that injured four students and surely traumatized so many more students, staff, and community members. MORE

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON PA HOUSE'S OUTRAGEOUS STUNT TO IMPEACH PHILADELPHIA DA LARRY KRASNER

November 16, 2022 In response to the PA House passage of HR 240, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement: PHILADELPHIA—"In a desperate maneuver in their waning days of power, the Pennsylvania House Republicans tripled down on their desire to circumvent the will of Philadelphians by voting to move forward with the impeachment of District Attorney Larry Krasner. MORE

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON VICTORY OF SENATOR-ELECT JOHN FETTERMAN

November 9, 2022

In response to this evening's election results, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement:

PHILADELPHIA—"Voters of Pennsylvania have made their voices heard, and John Fetterman's decisive victory leaves us confident in our optimism about our path forward for our great commonwealth. 

"Throughout a grueling campaign and a life-threatening health scare, the fortitude and determination demonstrated by John Fetterman and his family is a testament to their commitment to our collective futures. 

"John Fetterman stands for so many of the things we fight for every day. He

MORE

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON VICTORY OF GOVERNOR-ELECT JOSH SHAPIRO & LT. GOV-ELECT AUSTIN DAVIS

November 8, 2022

In response to this evening's election results, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement:

PHILADELPHIA—"Pennsylvanians can rest a little easier tonight knowing that the next Governor of our great Commonwealth will govern for all of us. On behalf of Philadelphia's 13,000 educators, I offer my sincere congratulations to Governor-elect Josh Shapiro and Lt. Governor-elect Austin Davis on their resounding victory today.

"Over the course of the last few months, PFT members have been deeply engaged in the electoral process, because they have intimately known exactly

MORE

PFT President Jerry Jordan on Fraudulent Swindler Dr. Oz's Showmanship in Tonight's Debate

October 25, 2022 In response to this evening's debate between Lt. Governor Fetterman and Dr. Oz, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement: PHILADELPHIA—"Dr. Oz is ania. lot of things: a New Jerseyan, a TV personality, a fraud, a charlatan, and either a Yankees or Padres fan. But here's what he absolutely will not be: the next Senator of Pennsylva MORE

PFT President Jerry Jordan on Shooting Death of 13-Year-Old Child in West Oak Lane

October 10, 2022 PHILADELPHIA—"Our city is once again reeling from the murder of a child-- a thirteen year-old-boy in West Oak Lane whose life was stolen from him, robbed of his future dreams and aspirations, never to even graduate eighth grade. My heart breaks for all who knew and loved him: his family, his friends, his neighbors, the entire Wagner Middle School community; the impact of such a tragedy is measureless. MORE

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