United Teachers of Dade

Members and staff of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 199 are in the midst of a major drive to increase membership. If they do not hit 60 percent membership by October, the union will be dissolved under a new Florida law. Deborah Jackson, right, is a Miami-Dade Department of Solid Waste Management employee who is active with the union.

As Florida’s new union law goes into effect, it’s ‘do or die’ time for labor

Daniel Rivero

The law changes how most public employees pay union dues, while requiring more members pay dues to keep unions alive. The double-whammy law is seen as an existential threat by many workers and unions.

U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, center, and his fiancé Chelsea Grimes, right, celebrate as he announces his running mate Karla Hernández-Mats, left, at Hialeah Middle School in Hialeah, Fla., Saturday Aug. 27, 2022.Crist will face incumbent Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in November.

United Teachers of Dade president chosen as Crist's running mate

Jim Turner

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist formally announced that Karla Hernandez-Mats, the president of Miami-Dade County's teachers union, will be his running mate in the upcoming election.

Murder On the Beach Mystery Bookstore in Delray Beach will be permanently closing on April 15.

Teachers on the so-called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, new neuroscience center, Murder On the Beach Mystery Bookstore

Leslie Ovalle Atkinson

Teachers prepare for changes after Florida lawmakers pass controversial new education laws. We'll learn about a new research facility coming to south Florida that focuses on neurological conditions. Plus, we say goodbye to a beloved local bookstore that has focused on bringing joy to mystery lovers since the mid-90s.

First graders at Redland Elementary in Homestead are led into the classroom by their teacher after being dropped off by their parents on Oct. 5. It was the first day of Miami-Dade County Public Schools opened for in-person classes since the onset of the pandemic.

Education

Miami-Dade teachers union votes decisively to keep current leadership

Kate Payne

The leadership team of United Teachers of Dade fought off challengers who said they've lost touch with members. The president of the teachers union won reelection — but by a smaller margin than in past years.

Sarita Sanmiguel’s kindergarten class at Redland Elementary in south Miami-Dade on Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the first day that Miami-Dade public school students returned to their classrooms, after learning remotely since March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

COVID-19 And The Classroom, And A Discussion Of The Trans Violence 'Epidemic'

Tom Hudson

South Florida teachers union leaders say CDC protocols are being followed but more work flexibility is needed. Also, a "vicious and violent" murder of a Black transgender woman highlights violence faced by the community.

Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie visits a classroom at Broward Estates Elementary School on Oct. 9, the first day of the district's reopening amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Broward Schools Reopen, But Most Students Stay Home

Jessica Bakeman

Broward County Public Schools was the last district in the state to bring students back into classrooms.

Fedrick Ingram is the new secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Teachers.

From Miami High School Band Director To National Teachers Union Leader: Ingram Gets A New Job

Jessica Bakeman

Fedrick Ingram moved up from a local teachers' union to the statewide union and now to a leadership position with the American Federation of Teachers.

Education

Miami-Dade Starting Teacher Salary Could Jump to $47.5K, Matching Governor's Proposal

Jessica Bakeman

The starting teacher salary in Miami-Dade County Public Schools would jump to $47,500 for the 2020-21 school year, and eligible teachers would get a 2.5…

Education

DeSantis Reenvisions Teacher Bonus Program, And Title I Schools Have Most To Gain

Governor Ron DeSantis and Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran announced a new program that would offer thousands of dollars in bonuses to teachers and…

Education

Miami-Dade Schools Approves New Contracts For Teachers, Cops Following Voter-Supported Tax Increase

Jessica Bakeman

The Miami-Dade County school board on Monday approved new contracts that increase teacher pay and allow for the hiring of hundreds of new police officers,…

Education

Charter Schools Push For Share Of Teacher-Pay Money Raised By Miami-Dade County Tax Increase

Jessica Bakeman

A lobbying group that represents charter schools in Florida wants its members' teachers in Miami-Dade County to get pay raises with some of the money that…