PFT leaders have their priorities straight

The article “A Way Forward for Pittsburgh Public Schools” in last Sunday’s edition of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette put forth ridiculous mischaracterizations of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers (PFT) by suggesting union leaders fail to act as teachers or prioritize the needs of district students. That demands a clarifying response.

I will speak directly and plainly, as experienced teachers should. I’m certainly proud of that experience. Most everything we do at the PFT rises and sets with a focus on the health, well-being and educational development of each student within Pittsburgh Public Schools.

Battling for a $420,000 grant to help expand career and technical education. Leading the charge to develop community schools for areas in need. Distributing over 85,000 free books to local students. Fighting for teacher vaccines. Hammering out safe return-to-school plans. And marching door-to-door this summer to reconnect with district families lost to the pandemic while answering the hard questions largely ignored by people living in ivory towers.

That’s the PFT in action. In truth, this represents only a fraction of the support we offer our membership, our city and our district. Our teachers, paraprofessionals and technicalclerical members are eager to expand their skillset and meet the challenges of the difficult moments at hand. There is nothing mediocre about them.

The article was correct to applaud the contracts we negotiate for our educators. Pittsburgh needs to attract and retain top-level education talent in a region dotted with competing districts that lack our unique urban challenges.

The PFT is proud to fight for that talent, and for the students we’ve dedicated our lives to. NINA ESPOSITO-VISGITIS

President Pittsburgh Federation

of Teachers