Teachers

A proposal designed in part to keep “identity politics” out of teacher-preparation courses began moving forward Monday in the Senate, with opponents arguing it could drive teachers away from Florida.The Republican-controlled Senate Education Postsecondary Committee voted 5-3 along party lines to approve the bill (SB 1372).

Dealing a blow to teachers unions, a federal judge has refused to block part of a new Florida law that prevents union dues from being deducted from workers’ paychecks.Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker on Friday issued a 40-page ruling denying a preliminary injunction sought by the Florida Education Association, the United Faculty of Florida and unions representing employees of the Alachua County, Hernando County and Pinellas County school districts and the University of Florida.

Faculty unions and a New College of Florida professor who was denied tenure have challenged the constitutionality of a new state law that did away with arbitration in university employment disputes.

In an effort to recruit future employees, district staff will be in the main lobby of the Lee County Public Education Center from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday July 24 to Friday July 28 and recruiters will have a table in the main lobby during the Back to School Rush event on Saturday, July 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The School District of Lee County is hosting a virtual recruitment fair Monday to fill several positions for the 2023-24 school year, including staff for two new schools.From 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., the district will be seeking to fill 400 teacher positions, 80 of which will operate new locations in Lehigh Acres.

Florida’s Senate voted 23-17 to pass legislation that will affect public-sector unions, especially teachers’ unions across the state. The bill would increase the required percentage of union members who pay dues from 50% to 60% for all public unions except police, firefighters and correctional officers. As many as two-thirds of Florida’s teachers’ unions would be decertified, preventing them from negotiating for salary and benefits for teachers, guidance counselors and media specialists. The Senate is controlled by Republicans. Teachers’ unions have traditionally supported Democratic policies and candidates in Florida. The same lawmaker who proposed the bill also sponsored another bill this year – which has not been taken seriously and is stalled in a Senate committee – that would effectively shut down the Democratic Party in Florida.

A high school teacher in Fort Myers is motivating and uplifting his students using the power of positive thinking. Visit Cypress Lake High School and the classroom of teacher, football coach, and self-published children’s book author, T.J. Nelson.

Lee County Schools Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier, Board members and District staff surprised 2023 Teacher of the Year Steven McGinley Friday morning during a school staff meeting with his award.

The lawyers raised a series of arguments that the "Stop WOKE Act" violates speech rights.

Military veterans could qualify for temporary teaching certificates in public schools in Florida. A new law is attempting to provide ways to ease the teacher shortage.