Are Teachers Unions Good For Kids?

Teachers’ unions play a powerful role in American education. Supporters argue that they protect educators, strengthen public schools, and help create better learning conditions for students.

Critics argue they can stand in the way of reform, limit school choice, and put adult interests ahead of children’s needs.

Join 92NY’s Belfer Center for Innovation & Social Impact for a timely Dialogue Project conversation on one of the most debated questions in education: are teachers unions good for kids?

The conversation features Kate Dias, President of the Connecticut Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union; and Tommy Schultz, CEO of the American Federation for Children. These two prominent voices bring sharply different perspectives to a discussion about labor, school choice, accountability, and the future of American education. The conversation will be moderated by Jonathan Lemire, co-host of MSNOW’s Morning Joe and a staff writer at The Atlantic.

At a moment when debates over public education have become increasingly polarized, this conversation offers a chance to move beyond familiar talking points and examine what’s really at stake. What do teachers, families, and students need from our schools — and what role should unions play in delivering it?