Providence Journal photos / Bob Breidenbach
PROVIDENCE, R. I. -- Randy Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, told 200 teachers gathered in Providence Friday that the work done by teachers is as heroic as as the efforts of first-responders in the wake of superstorm Sandy.
Speaking at an AFT conference held at the Biltmore Hotel, Weingarten, who said she was personally affected by Sandy, said teachers across the country are being asked to adopt an entirely new way of teaching without having the training, the financial support or, in some cases, the backing of the larger community.
"We have to focus on how to do this right rather than say we can't do it," she told the audience.
"I've never seen a time when we have been asked to do so much and given so little to do it."
Educators from around the country listen Friday during Weingarten's speech in Providence.