Who We Are

AFT Mission Statement

The American Federation of Teachers is a union of professionals that champions fairness; democracy; economic opportunity; and high-quality public education, healthcare and public services for our students, their families and our communities. We are committed to advancing these principles through community engagement, organizing, collective bargaining and political activism, and especially through the work our members do.

About the Jackson Federation of Teachers, P&SRP

Who We Are

We are proud to be the only organization in Mississippi that represents teachers, paraprofessionals, and other non‑management school employees. Since our founding in the early 1980s, we have championed meaningful victories for educators and the communities we serve.

Today, our membership spans the tri‑county area—Rankin, Madison, and Hinds Counties—as well as Jackson Public Schools. Together, we form a union of dedicated professionals who understand that strong schools begin with strong support for the people who make them run.

Our commitment extends beyond the workplace. We work hand‑in‑hand with our communities to improve the environments in which our members teach, learn, and serve. By advocating for fair treatment, better working conditions, and policies that respect the expertise of educators, we aim to be the change agent our state’s public education system urgently needs.

Mississippi’s students deserve the best education possible, and that requires empowered, respected, and well‑supported school employees. Our union exists to make that vision real—not someday, but now.

Our Goals

To achieve a spirit of cooperation among the school board, the administration the professionals, the paraprofessionals, the parents, and the public that provides each group an opportunity to contribute their full potential to the improvement of the public education system for our children.
To become the largest professional organization for teachers and non-certified personnel.
To educate our members in the rights and responsibilities of a majority professional organization.
To continue improving the working conditions for all school employees.
To improve the quality of education for all children.
To continue to promote special screening and treatment programs for students who show symptoms of behavioral problems.

About AFT-Mississippi

The Mississippi Alliance of Teachers (AFT-Mississippi) has a rich history of advocating for educators and improving public education in the state. The first AFT local in Mississippi, Pascagoula Local 2419, was chartered in April 1973, marking the beginning of the organization's presence. The state organization followed in February 1975, with Bettye Nelson serving as the first President.

The early years were characterized by secret meetings, struggles, and great courage as teachers sought to improve education and teaching conditions. A significant turning point occurred when the 1974 legislature failed to approve a teacher pay raise, leading to widespread frustration with the long-established Mississippi Education Association (MEA) and Mississippi Teacher Association (NEA). This inaction ignited teacher unrest, and AFT emerged as a leading force, organizing the first teacher walkout, the first teacher march on Jackson, and the first call for a special session on education in April 1974. These bold actions directly led to the largest pay raise for teachers in Mississippi history to that date.

AFT's impact extended beyond salary increases. The organization was the first to advocate for numerous now-common benefits such as sick leave, personal leave, duty-free lunches, and reduced teacher-pupil ratios. MAFT (Mississippi AFT) also spearheaded the fight for the equalization of property taxes, filing a lawsuit in 1975 to enforce the state's constitutional mandate. Moreover, MAFT has consistently championed higher standards and challenged initiatives it deemed detrimental to education, such as leading the investigation into the State Department of Education Accountability Instructional Management (AIM) Program and opposing the School Employment Procedures ACT (SEPA). Notably, when the implementation of the Mississippi Teacher Assessment Instruments (MTAI) presented challenges, MAFT took the lead in training teachers across the state, demonstrating its commitment to its members' success.

(11/09/2000 from Mississippi AFT)

AFT-Mississippi (the state federation's current name) is currently under reorganization so that its goals and activities are fully aligned with the mission of the AFT.

About the AFT

Learn more about the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), which was founded in 1916 to represent the economic, social and professional interests of classroom teachers and is an affiliated international union of the AFL-CIO.

History of the AFT

Learn the history of the AFT, including the union's founding in Chicago in 1916, its affiliation with the AFL-CIO, its battles for workers and human rights and its continued work to uphold the proud traditions on which the union was created.