
Join me today as I discuss the basics of the formation of the public teacher’s unions and start the evaluation of weather they have been a net gain or loss for the public education system and your children.
Below you will find the full show notes and reference list for Episode 3 of The State of Education Podcast, presented by One-Room Education.
I can’t wait to start a conversation with you!
Join the conversation by answering the question of the week in the comments below.
Question of the Week:
What was your knowledge of how the public teacher’s unions were founded in the U.S.? Did ever really think about it before this episode?
If you have any questions or comments about this episode or any of the information presented, please make sure to leave a comment at the bottom of this post.

Show Notes
Welcome back to The State of Education podcast, presented by One-Room Education. Join me today as I discuss the creation and growth of the public teachers union and how they evolved into the hyper-politicized behemoths we know today.
In today’s discussion, we’ll be covering topics including:
- Why the public teacher’s unions were originally created.
- Who created the unions.
- Similarities the public teacher’s unions have with other private-sector unions.
- Why this really does affect every aspect of education from pre-k through doctoral candidacy.
In this, the first of a 2 part series, I give you the background of the formation of the public teacher’s unions and how they were founded with good intentions. I present the similarities and differences between public and private sector unions and why it matters to everyone who holds an interest in the United States education system; which is literally every citizen and resident of the US.
If you enjoy this topic and the information presented, please consider supporting The State of Education podcast by either becoming a supporter of the podcast directly *HERE*, or visiting the Support Our Content page to become a *Member* of One-RoomEducation.com or snag something from the Merch Shop @ One-Room Education.com.


Related Reads
- The State of the Unions *Read More*
- Should We Be Teaching or Facilitating Learning? *Read More*
- The Factory Model: Does It Work? Did It Ever? *Read More*
References
- Aftunion. American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, https://www.aft.org/.
- Aftunion. “Fighting for Safe Communities and Racial Justice for Our Citizens and Our First Responders.” American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, 27 July 2016, https://www.aft.org/resolution/fighting-safe-communities-and-racial-justice-our-citizens-and-our-first.
- Aftunion. “History.” American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, 1 Sept. 2017, https://www.aft.org/about/history.
- “Ana, Aft Pass Resolutions on Racial Justice.” WSNA, Washington State Nurses Association, 24 June 2020, https://www.wsna.org/news/2020/ana-aft-pass-resolutions-on-racial-justice.
- Boyd, Ashley S., and Janine J. Darragh. “Teaching for Social Justice: Using All American Boys to Confront Racism and Police Brutality.” American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, 9 Mar. 2021, https://www.aft.org/ae/spring2021/boyd_darragh.
- Burke, Cassie Walker, and Mila Koumpilova. “Chicago Teachers Union Wants Student Vaccination Targets, Housing Help.” Chalkbeat Chicago, Chalkbeat Chicago, 6 July 2021, https://chicago.chalkbeat.org/2021/7/6/22565801/chicago-teachers-union-wants-a-fall-agreement-school-reopening-student-vaccination-targets-housing.
- Conklin, Audrey. “Chicago Teachers Union Members May Strike If Demands for Remote Learning Period Aren’t Met.” Fox News, FOX News Network, 31 Dec. 2021, https://www.foxnews.com/us/chicago-teachers-union-possible-strike-winter-break.
- Cowen, Joshua, and Katharine O. Strunk. “How Do Teachers’ Unions Influence Education Policy? What We Know and What We Need to Learn.” How Unions Influence Education Policy, Education Policy Center at Michigan State University , Apr. 2014, https://education.msu.edu/EPC/library/papers/HowUnionsInfluenceEducationPolicy/.
- “Department of Education.” AllGov, AllGov.com, http://www.allgov.com/departments/department-of-education?detailsDepartmentID=584.
- “Federal Role in Education.” The Federal Role in Education, US Department of Education (ED), 15 June 2021, https://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/fed/role.html.
- “Funding for Students & Schools.” NEA, National Education Association, https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/funding-for-students-and-schools.
- Gershon, Livia. “The Rise of Teachers’ Unions: Teachers’ Unions Have Been an Important Force in America since the 1950s.” JSTOR Daily, 9 May 2016, https://daily.jstor.org/the-rise-of-teachers-unions/. Accessed 18 Jan. 2022.
- Kirkpatrick, David W. “Teacher Unions – Overview, Influence on Instruction and Other Educational Practices.” StateUniversity.com, Web Solutions LLC, https://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/2486/Teacher-Unions.html.
- Livingston, Amy. “Labor Unions in the United States – How They Work, Pros and Cons.” Money Crashers, Money Crashers, LLC, 7 Oct. 2021, https://www.moneycrashers.com/labor-unions-united-states/.
- “Los Angeles Teachers Union Rejects Return to Classroom until Demands Are Met.” abc7, KABC Television, LLC, 6 Mar. 2021, https://abc7.com/los-angeles-teachers-union-utla-return-to-class/10392567/. Accessed Jan. 2022.
- Mader, Jackie. “The Rise of Teacher Unions: A Look at Union Impact over the Years.” HechingerEd, Teachers College at Columbia University, 19 Sept. 2012, http://hechingered.org/content/the-rise-of-teacher-unions-a-look-at-union-impact-over-the-years_5601/. Accessed 18 Jan. 2022.
- Menas, Amanda. “Ask a Teacher: Why Is the Equality Act Critical for LGBTQ Educators and Students?” NEA, NEA, 7 June 2019, https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/why-equality-act-matters-for-lgbtq-educators-students.
- Moreno, Paul. “The History of Public Sector Unionism.” Hillsdale College, Hillsdale College, 9 July 2019, https://www.hillsdale.edu/educational-outreach/free-market-forum/2011-archive/the-history-of-public-sector-unionism/.
- O’keefe, James, director. CA High School Teacher Admits Communist Indoctrination of Students: ‘Turn Them into Revolutionaries.’ YouTube, Project Veritas, 31 Aug. 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83b_u5V51U8. Accessed Feb. 2022.
- “Pledge to Support LGBTQ Equality.” NEA EdJustice, National Education Association, 13 June 2018, https://neaedjustice.org/lgbtqequality/.
- Pok, Brian. “The Origin of Unions and Their Application to Teachers.” Education Studies, Yale Education Studies Students Research on Equity, Policy, School Choice & Desegregation, 29 Apr. 2017, http://debsedstudies.org/the-origin-of-unions/.
- “Promoting Gender Equity.” NEA, NEA, https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/just-equitable-schools/core-values/promoting-gender-equity.
- “Racial Justice Is Education Justice.” NEA EdJustice, National Education Association, 20 Apr. 2021, https://neaedjustice.org/racial-justice-is-education-justice/.
- Roache, Joel Edmund, and Ramon (Rom) Lewis. “Teachers’ Views on the Impact of Classroom Management on Student Responsibility.” Australian Journal of Education (AJE), vol. 55, no. 2, ser. 4, 1 Nov. 2011. 4, https://doi.org/10.1177/000494411105500204. Accessed 18 Jan. 2022.
- Shaar, Noah. “Before Fall in-Person School, Chicago Teachers Union Wants over 4,000 New Workers.” Illinois Policy, 15 July 2021, https://www.illinoispolicy.org/before-fall-in-person-school-chicago-teachers-union-wants-over-4000-new-workers/.
- Siegel, Fred, et al. “How Teachers’ Unions Handcuff Schools.” City Journal, Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, Inc., 18 June 2019, https://www.city-journal.org/html/how-teachers%E2%80%99-unions-handcuff-schools-12102.html.
- “Sign on to Aft Pennsylvania’s Principles of Racial Justice.” Action Network, AFT Pennsylvania, https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-on-to-aft-pennsylvanias-principles-of-racial-justice.
- Simoni, Stephanie. “Learning Lost? Teachers Discuss the Impact of Remote Learning on Students.” NEWS8, WTNH a Subsidiary of Nexstar Media Inc., 7 Feb. 2022, https://www.wtnh.com/news/learning-lost-teachers-discuss-the-impact-of-remote-learning-on-students/. Accessed Feb. 2022.
- Union, AFT. “History.” American Federation of Teachers, 1 Sept. 2017, https://www.aft.org/about/history.
- Vera, Amir, and Holly Yan. “Chicago Public School Students Will Return to Classroom Wednesday after Teachers Union Suspends Work Action, Mayor Says.” CNN, Cable News Network, 11 Jan. 2022, https://edition.cnn.com/2022/01/10/us/chicago-schools-teacher-union-mayor-monday/index.html.
- Zempel, Kylee. “Teachers Unions Unveil New COVID Demand: Pay Us for Doing Nothing.” The Federalist, FDRLST Media, 31 July 2020, https://thefederalist.com/2020/07/31/government-teachers-unions-unveil-new-covid-19-demand-pay-us-for-doing-nothing/.
- Álvarez, Brenda. “Advocating for Racial Equity in Our Schools.” NEA, NeaToday, 2 Oct. 2019, https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/advocating-racial-equity-our-schools.

All One-Room Education content is sponsored by YOU.
If you enjoyed today’s episode of The State of Education, please consider supporting our content.
Remember, sharing is caring 🙂
Share this content on social media or via email with the people you know who would love it to help us spread the word and encourage them to work towards a more free and prosperous future for everyone.
One Comment Add yours