(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – As educators and students enter the annual “Back to School” season, hundreds of teachers are returning to their classrooms armed with information to help them be more effective voices for their workplace rights and their students’ educational careers: they’re standing up to the national teachers’ unions political agendas and putting their students’ needs first.
The 2023-24 school year begins on the heels of politically charged annual conventions by the National Education Association (NEA) and American Federation of Teachers (AFT), both of which focused their meetings on non-education subject matters such as climate activism, racial division, gender-affirmation in the classroom and a “robust 2024 election strategy that centers LGBT issues”.
The Freedom Foundation recently conducted its inaugural Teacher Freedom Summit in Denver, bringing together 200 teachers from across the country to build support for teachers who value a strong education system for kids over woke political indoctrination in the classroom. Teachers were informed about their workplace representation and legal rights as well as alternatives to teachers’ unions like the NEA and AFT.
“I couldn’t be happier with the outcome of our first teacher summit. It was a huge success and exceeded all expectations” declared Aaron Withe, CEO of the Freedom Foundation. “Based on positive feedback from conference attendees, it is clear teachers want to make this an annual event that grows in attendance every year.”
“As a former teacher, I was deeply touched to see how emotional some of our guests became when they realized they have like-minded friends in the teaching profession who share their priorities and values. As teachers quickly learned during the conference, they aren’t alone in their desire to leave the NEA and AFT and stop funding a radical agenda they don’t support,” added Eloise Smith, Freedom Foundation director of teacher engagement.
During the conference, Freedom Foundation staff heard repeatedly from teacher attendees that they were surprised and relieved to hear they had representational options independent of the unions with which they so vehemently disagreed.
During a conference survey, the Freedom Foundation learned that of the participants:
- 45 percent did not know there existed alternatives to teachers’ unions;
- 30 percent were aware alternatives existed, but hadn’t joined one;
- 25 percent were already in an alternative organization
When asked if they believed that teachers who prefer to stick to traditional subjects (reading, writing, science and math) made up the minority or majority of their school district:
- 64 percent believe traditional teachers are in the majority
- 35 percent believe traditional teachers are in the minority
- 1 percent were unsure
Feedback gathered during an exit survey revealed just how much the Teacher Freedom Summit meant to teachers from coast to coast:
“This event is a springboard to activate and empower teachers. We need this support – it’s essential for future activism and to think outside the box.” – Brenda, California
“This was the greatest gift you could ever give a public school teacher. Thank you for funding training for those on the front lines in fighting woke ideology. I learned so much that I will be implementing immediately!” – Nichole, Colorado
“Thank you for investing in the people on the front lines. When teachers, parents, and liberty loving people unite, that’s how we instill academic excellence into our schools and ensure another generation of freedom in our republic.” – Stephanie, Connecticut
“Thank you for believing in teachers and in our country enough to help us learn to fight for the present and the future.” – Allie, Georgia
“This experience was truly cathartic. I have felt so alone my entire career. To be welcomed and congratulated for fighting the NEA is a surreal gift I never expected to receive. Thank you for connecting me to SUPPORT!” – Ben, Idaho
“In 28 years in education this is the only program that ever promotes freedom. I am not the same person I was before.” – Mark, Minnesota
“This battle is worth it. Thank you for making an investment into the future of our teachers and kids.” – Nicholas, Minnesota
“Thank you so much for this truly life changing experience!” – Kathleen, Oregon
“THANK YOU for making me feel heard, appreciated, and valued!” – Jeffrey, Pennsylvania
“Thank you! Thank you for supporting conservative teachers and helping us to no longer be voices in the wind. Instead, we are equipped and joined together to effectively communicate and fight back in our own districts and communities.” – Jenn, Pennsylvania
Concluded Withe, “We’re happy to have helped so many teachers that we can’t wait to get started planning next year’s Teacher Freedom Summit.”
###
