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Denise Specht

@denisespecht.bsky.social
1.1K followers 222 following 31 posts

Retired union leader and teacher. Past Education Minnesota President, AFT, NEA, MN AFL-CIO. Still advocating for public education and working people. Daughter, sister, aunt. #union

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Denise Specht @denisespecht.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
This is another gimmick. Public dollars are for public education, period. Vouchers are unacceptable. As tempting as it may be, this scheme from the Trump administration should be rejected. Trump Law Would Also Direct Voucher Money to Public Schools www.nytimes.com/2026/06/09/u...
nytimes.com
Trump Law Would Also Direct Voucher Money to Public Schools
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Denise Specht @denisespecht.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Gov. Walz has opposed school vouchers since his 1st legislative session. Back then, vouchers were former Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka’s #1 priority. No matter what was thrown at Walz in end-of-session negotiations that year, he never blinked on vouchers. And he won’t now. Thanks, Governor! 💪✊
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Denise Specht @denisespecht.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Cheers to Education Minnesota and these school districts! I never thought I'd see the day that educators and school districts would need to sue their own government to protect safe, accessible learning and working environments for students and school staff. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/u...
nytimes.com
Educators Sue to Keep Immigration Agents From Schools and Bus Stops
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Denise Specht @denisespecht.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Whoa! I’m at my MN DFL senate district precinct meeting. It👏is👏packed👏! Standing room only. I’ve not seen this many people at this meeting since 2016. Good to meet new neighbors and be with people wanting to protect our freedoms and democracy. People are fired up and they’re showing up. 💙💙✊✊
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Anat Shenker-Osorio @anatosaurus.bsky.social · 09/11/2025
Every disaffected Dem & swing focus group we do begins with people asking what's real. They hear, at times, this is authoritarian takeover threatening lives & livelihoods. But perceive most "leaders" not acting as if this were so.
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Anat Shenker-Osorio @anatosaurus.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
We absolutely will not budge unless Americans can pay for their healthcare! Unless, of course, we get stuck at the airport for some hours.
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Denise Specht @denisespecht.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
If only the people had sent a message to Congress last Tuesday…
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Denise Specht @denisespecht.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
But first, coffee.
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Denise Specht @denisespecht.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
These journalists stood up to an authoritarian today. Even Hegseth’s former employer, Fox News, said no to being lackeys. Cheers to this press corp’s commitment to getting us the truth, as hard as it will be, from the outside of the Pentagon rather than inside. This country deserves it.
apnews.com
Journalists turn in access badges, exit Pentagon rather than agree to new reporting rules
Journalists at the Pentagon turned in access badges and cleaned out their workspaces, the price for refusing to agree to new restrictions on their jobs at the seat of U.S. military power.
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Denise Specht @denisespecht.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
Preach, Coach! www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L1v...
youtube.com
Cheryl Reeve condemns sex toys being thrown on WNBA courts
YouTube video by FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul
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Randi Weingarten 🖇️📚✊🇺🇸 @rweingarten.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
#Sigh…. Guess the Rs on a congressional committee dedicated to workforce don’t like that I spend so much time with our members and their communities. Of course, we will cooperate with any legitimate request, but this won't stop me or our union from fighting for working families.
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Randi Weingarten 🖇️📚✊🇺🇸 @rweingarten.bsky.social · 31/07/2025
Private equity is asset-stripping another essential service—childcare—prioritizing profits over kids' well-being. It's time for the federal government to make childcare universally accessible and keep financial predators out. www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/...
bloomberg.com
Private Equity Finds Opportunity in America’s Child Care Crisis
Parents in the US pay an average of $11,582 per year for child care for children under the age of 15. And private equity sees an opportunity, by racing to consolidate independent daycares. Easy access...
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Denise Specht @denisespecht.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
We should be angry at the political spectacle these congressional hearings have become. The governor was justified to prepare, knowing he was not there to share new knowledge, but for the GOP, Stauber and Emmer to score political points. These sham hearings are reckless and a waste for all of us.
startribune.com
Minnesota on the hook for $430K legal bill after GOP congressional hearing where Walz testified
The state tapped outside lawyers to prepare the DFL governor for a high-profile U.S. House Oversight Committee hearing in June.
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Education Minnesota @educationmn.bsky.social · 14/06/2025
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Denise Specht @denisespecht.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
Free David Huerta actionnetwork.org/event_campai...
actionnetwork.org
#FreeDavidEndRaids
On Friday afternoon, military-gear-clad ICE agents launched aggressive raids throughout Los Angeles. At one location, SEIU-USWW President David Huerta was assaulted, injured and detained while advocat...
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Denise Specht @denisespecht.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
May 1 is International Workers Day and I marched in Washington DC with educators, federal workers, union members, immigrants and community to fight attacks against jobs, union contracts, due process and workers’ freedoms. The people, united, will never be defeated! ✊ #MayDayStrong #MayDay
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Denise Specht @denisespecht.bsky.social · 20/04/2025
He is risen!
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MPR News @mprnews.org · 24/03/2025
Banned books include “Night” by Elie Wiesel, “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou and “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini.
mprnews.org
ACLU of Minnesota, Education Minnesota file suits against St. Francis schools book policy
St. Francis Area Schools adopted a policy in the fall requiring all new school library materials purchased by the district be filtered through Book Looks, a website backed by conservative groups. The ...
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Education Minnesota @educationmn.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
Hundreds of St. Francis parents, students and educators came together today to send a message to the school board — keep decisions on library books and curriculum at the local level. No to book bans! #teachtruth #freedomtoread
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Randi Weingarten 🖇️📚✊🇺🇸 @rweingarten.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
This is the United States, not Putin’s Russia, and Americans still believe our government should uphold freedom and privacy. Musk and DOGE must be held accountable—and today’s injunction is a major step in that direction. www.aft.org/press-releas...
aft.org
AFT’s Weingarten Reacts to Injunction Against Elon Musk
WASHINGTON—AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement after a federal court judge ordered a preliminary injunction preventing the Education Department, the Office of Personnel Manag...
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Randi Weingarten 🖇️📚✊🇺🇸 @rweingarten.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
Elon Musk’s operatives have been invading Americans’ privacy—& today, a court said NO. It enjoined DOGE. When families apply for student loans, they trust the government to protect their data not steal it or feed it to 3rd parties or AI. This ruling upholds that trust. www.aft.org/press-releas...
aft.org
AFT’s Weingarten Reacts to Injunction Against Elon Musk
WASHINGTON—AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement after a federal court judge ordered a preliminary injunction preventing the Education Department, the Office of Personnel Manag...
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Randi Weingarten 🖇️📚✊🇺🇸 @rweingarten.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
Education is our kids future. Education is our country’s future. Mr. President, we will see you in court. www.aft.org/press-releas...
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Denise Specht @denisespecht.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
“Each book that is removed is another voice that is being silenced. Our libraries should be filled with the voices of everyone.” Thanks Ryan Fiereck and Education Minnesota St. Francis Local 1977 for standing against book bans and standing for a local process. minnesotareformer.com/2025/03/19/t...
minnesotareformer.com
'The Handmaid's Tale' could really teach something to the kids in St. Francis. Too bad it's banned. • Minnesota Reformer
“The Bluest Eye” and “The Perks of Being A Wallflower” are out.
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jodellm.bsky.social @jodellm.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
Mar 19 •rally •before school Natl School Walk-in by @neatoday.bsky.social Who: educators, students, neighbors What: gather in front of school When: Mar 19 45 min. before school •listen to a few speakers •discuss what we want for our school •take/share photos celebrate collaborate protest
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Denise Specht @denisespecht.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
“So if private school vouchers would drain our already underfunded public schools of even more money, and would harm student’s educational outcomes, what’s the point?” Why do Trump and Republicans keep pushing vouchers despite pushback? They want the wealthy to be more wealthy.
minnpost.com
Private school vouchers: a bad idea that keeps losing but won’t die - MinnPost
Our organization found that Minnesota public school districts could lose $209 million in the first year of a voucher program.
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Denise Specht @denisespecht.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
I was on WCCO radio this morning to talk about the latest actions at the Department of Education. These actions are about privatizing public education and finding ways to pay for tax handouts to billionaires. www.audacy.com/podcast/the-...
audacy.com
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Denise Specht @denisespecht.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
From anger to taking action. It was a great day on the doors for my neighbor David Gottfried, candidate in the special election for 40B. One woman was ill but answered the door in her pajamas because after watching what happened in the White House yesterday, she is more committed to do her part.
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Denise Specht @denisespecht.bsky.social · 22/02/2025
We need more organizing and push back at local levels. Thanks to the Forest Lake Education Association, students, parents and community leaders for standing up for what their community needs - in this case welcoming, safe and inclusive schools for students. www.startribune.com/forest-lake-...
startribune.com
Forest Lake School Board continues adviser funding for clubs supporting students of color
Thursday’s vote follows discussions on inclusion programs, federal pressure on DEI initiatives and the school board’s commitment to educational equity.
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Denise Specht @denisespecht.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
A status quo state budget is not going to work for educators. Our legislature must find the revenue to improve our pensions, pay and healthcare. Thank to the Education Minnesota members who lobbied their legislators and rallied the rotunda at the end of the day!
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Denise Specht @denisespecht.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
Joy is an act of resistance! So, it was all the more inspiring to celebrate and recognize this wonderful teacher from Minnesota last night. Congratulations Michael Houston for receiving a Traveler’s Award for Teaching Excellence at the NEA Foundation’s annual Salute to Excellence in Education!
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National Education Association @neatoday.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
Our heart belongs to public schools because they’re where every student can learn, grow, and thrive. Sending love to the educators and support staff who make it all possible. ❤️ #ValentinesDay
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AFT @aft.org · 14/02/2025
Love is a verb - and every day, our members show their communities that they care by teaching students, caring for patients, and ensuring that their neighbors have everything they need to thrive. Happy Valentine's Day to all of our members, and thank you for all that you do!
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Denise Specht @denisespecht.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
I’m with love.
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Liz Shuler @lizshuler.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
Elon Musk and DOGE continue to jeopardize Americans’ most sensitive, personal data, and threaten our health, safety, rights, paychecks, and the essential services we depend on. They must be stopped—and today we’re going back to court to do just that. aflcio.org/press/releas...
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Denise Specht @denisespecht.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
A little snow and drizzle and a whole lotta rallying on Capitol Hill to protect public schools and protect students.
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Denise Specht @denisespecht.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
I care that personal data and privacy have been invaded. www.axios.com/2025/02/11/d...
axios.com
Labor unions sue Trump admin in attempt to stop DOGE access to Americans' sensitive data
Read the full lawsuit alleging 3 government departments "improperly disclosed" sensitive information to DOGE.
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Randi Weingarten 🖇️📚✊🇺🇸 @rweingarten.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
I suspect no one who voted for Trump thought he would let Musk invade their privacy. Right now, inside the Dept of Ed, the world’s richest man is rifling through 45M people’s private student loan accounts and feeding the data into AI. www.aft.org/press-releas... apnews.com/article/trum...
apnews.com
Labor unions sue to block DOGE access to sensitive information at US agencies
A coalition of labor unions filed a lawsuit Monday asking a federal court to stop Elon Musk’s team from accessing private data at the Education Department, the Treasury Department and the Office of Pe...
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Education Minnesota @educationmn.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
🚨 ACTION ALERT: Trump is drafting an order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education -- a direct attack on students, educators and public schools. 🚨 We refuse to let this happen. Go to edmn.me/pushback and demand Congress TAKE ACTION and protect public education.
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 03/02/2025
Raskin: "Elon Musk, you may have illegally seized power over the financial payments systems of the Treasury, but you don't control the money of the American people. The US Congress does that under Article 1 of the Constitution ... we don't have a fourth branch of government called 'Elon Musk'"
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Brian Tyler Cohen @briantylercohen.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
Apparently, allowing Americans to file their tax returns for free is a bad thing. A big gift to the Big Tax lobby and a big middle finger to Americans.
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Denise Specht @denisespecht.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
Congratulations, Ken!
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Education Minnesota @educationmn.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
Thank you, Dr. King. As educators, we can honor his memory by recommitting to embracing and teaching his full legacy. Resources: edmn.me/40p0T9G #mlkday
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Education Minnesota @educationmn.bsky.social · 18/01/2025
Excited to see more MN districts embracing the full-service community schools model -- a proven way to close the opportunity gap. "We know when a family system does better, our students achieve better." #mnleg
startribune.com
Two St. Cloud schools to become full-service hubs for learning, family health
The central Minnesota school district was awarded a $2.5 million federal grant to fund full-service community schools.
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Denise Specht @denisespecht.bsky.social · 21/12/2024
Very little of what the charter school industry has promised Minnesotans for the past 20 years has happened. The billionaire backers of school privatization said charter schools would be incubators of educational innovation that public schools would imitate and scale up. That has not happened.
startribune.com
Regulators make it easy for Minnesota’s failing charter schools to stay open
According to a new Minnesota Star Tribune review of more than 200 charter school evaluations, nonprofits that oversee them routinely overlooked problems to renew their contracts.
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Education Minnesota @educationmn.bsky.social · 30/11/2024
Vouchers don't work, and they siphon scarce resources away from the schools 90% of America's children attend -- public schools. #stoptrump
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Denise Specht @denisespecht.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
Thankful for family, friends, and good times. Grateful for our delicious dinner and the farmers, field workers, cooks and essential workers who helped us get the food to our table. Happy Thanksgiving!
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Randi Weingarten 🖇️📚✊🇺🇸 @rweingarten.bsky.social · 23/11/2024
Mass deportations are a big concern for our members. @aftunion.bsky.social offers resources that feature specific tips on how to make children feel less anxious & encourage families to seek out support from trusted, community-based organizations. www.aft.org/our-communit...
aft.org
Immigration
Americans know that our strength has always been built on the simple notion that America is a place where many become one. The AFT, as the representative of those who teach and care for our next gener...
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Shannon Watts @shannonrwatts.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
"While pundits have busied themselves over the past 10 days nitpicking Kamala Harris’s campaign, one thing is abundantly clear: She was held to the highest standards of leadership while Trump was held to no standard at all."
publicnotice.co
Kamala Harris’s hidden barrier
Her rise and fall illustrates the Glass Cliff.
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