American Federation of Teachers (AFT), one of Florida’s largest teacher’s unions, went as far as to sue Gov. Ron Desantis and Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran over mandates that would require schools to be open five days a week.
Many legislators have jumped on board with the CDC’s stance that schools should be reopened this fall. However, in response to the CDC’s proposed safety guidelines and recommendation for school reopenings, AFT President Randi Weingarten issued a statement last Friday, declaring “every educator, principal and superintendent in America will tell you that none of this can happen without resources.”
Teachers are in a tough spot, having to fight against mandates they feel are impossible to implement. Reopening schools would allow them to create an optimal learning environment for students, but it’s easier said than done.
Without the resources necessary to ensure a safe environment for all students, distance learning appears to be the best option at the present time. We’ll find out how officials respond to the ongoing opposition as this story develops.
