(Shreveport – November 19, 2017)  State Senator Dan “Blade” Morrish and Representative Sam L. Jenkins were named the Louisiana Federation of Teachers’ Senator and Representative of the Year today at the LFT’s 53^rd annual convention in Shreveport. The lawmakers were honored for their commitment to public education and the teachers and school employees who dedicate their careers to the children of our state.

(Shreveport – November 18, 2017) Jefferson Parish paraprofessional Laura Harper and Caddo Parish teacher Mike Myers today received Pioneer Awards from the Louisiana Federation of Teachers. The award is presented annually to individuals who, over the years, made major contributions to the growth and influence of the LFT.

State Representative Patricia Haynes Smith has been named the Louisiana Federation of Teachers’ Friend of Education for 2017. The Friend of Education Award is the highest honor that the Louisiana Federation of Teachers bestows on non-members of the union. It is presented to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to public education.

John Hunter Berry, an eighth grade student at Caddo Middle Magnet School in Shreveport, is the designer of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers’ 2017 holiday greeting card. John’s teacher is Erin Sitten.

Delegates to the 53^rd annual Louisiana Federation of Teachers convention cheered news of the union’s biggest growth spurt, honored legislators and union leaders for their dedication to public education, were buoyed by keynote addresses from nationally recognized speakers, and were inspired by a best-selling author whose work with disadvantaged children became a popular motion picture.

(Baton Rouge – October 25, 2017) After years of litigation, approximately 350 Filipino teachers who were held in virtual bondage in Louisiana by a placement agency are slated to receive money from a class action lawsuit against the recruiter and her company. Each teacher will receive approximately $2,200.00.

“This is the bittersweet ending to a sad story of exploitation,” said Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter. “While these teachers can never be properly compensated for their suffering, we have at least validated the rule of law and sent a strong message to those who would profit from such human trafficking.”