CTU Gathers with Faith-based Leaders to Highlight Recent Tentative Agreement Wins for Students and Educators


CTU Gathers with Faith-based Leaders to Highlight Recent Tentative Agreement Wins for Students and Educators

CHICAGO, IL — In a powerful display of unity between education advocates and Chicago’s vibrant faith community, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) gathered with local faith leaders and community leaders this week to highlight the community-centered benefits secured in the recently ratified tentative agreement. CTU leaders explained the vital role churches and congregations play in disseminating critical information to families and students across the city.

Held at Pearl’s Place Restaurant in Bronzeville and hosted by CTU President Stacey Davis Gates and Reverend Walter P. Turner of New Spiritual Light Missionary Baptist Church, the event featured CTU Administrator of New Teacher Development Commissioner Tara Stamps, and other key CTU members, including Zeidre Foster, Director of the CTU Grievance Department; Dr. Monique Redeaux-Smith, Illinois Federation of Teachers Director of Union Professional Issues; Latoyia Kimbrough, CTU Attorney; Dr. Quintella Bounds, Case Manager, Corliss High School and King High School, and Larnce White, Teacher at Kipling Elementary School.

“It is impossible in this city for transformational change if we do not lead and guide. If you want a 360-degree transformation, you need all the people who can enable this change. It is possible to have a school system that provides what our young students need, and we must do this together,” said CTU President Stacy Davis Gates.

The meeting underscored how CTU’s new tentative agreement—ratified with overwhelming support (97% approval, 85% turnout)—will bring transformative change to schools and classrooms across the city, including:

● Smaller class sizes, ensuring more individual attention for each student

● Increased investment in arts, music, and sports programming

● Expanded staffing of librarians, counselors, clinicians, teacher assistants, and other critical support personnel

● Stronger protections against discrimination and federal policy threats


Commissioner Tara Stamps, a CTU administrator of new teacher development, said, “We trained and coached 1200 early career educators, predominantly Black educators, in the We Care program. We made sure that those educators were paired with a veteran teacher to become better, as well as unionists, excellent teachers, and people who led with love for our children. We’re at a place where we put this in our union contract—the WE CARE program.”

The partnership between CTU and Chicago’s faith community is rooted in shared values of justice, dignity, and equity. It ensures that every child, no matter their zip code, has access to a quality education and the resources they need to thrive.

Ziedre Foster, Director of the CTU Grievance Department and a mother of three former CPS students, played a significant role as Lead Negotiator for the union, commented, “This contract represents thousands of rank-and-file educators committed to public education across the city. It benefits educators and paraprofessionals in the schools and the 300,000 students who attend CPS schools. We recognize this contract as historic and transformative.”

The event concluded with a call to action: to continue strengthening ties between educators, families, and faith leaders as they work together toward a more just and fully funded public education system.

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