Valencia Abbott
@vannabbott.bsky.social
High School Social Studies Teacher, Local Historian, Photographer, Telling Black Stories is my passion and side hustle. Black Folks Education Ambassador (accept the moniker).
In this week's video, @rweingarten.bsky.social shares how our union is gearing up for Labor Day. Plus, she discusses our new educator survey, showing many educators at a breaking point—working multiple jobs, and almost a third sharing they're likely to leave teaching in the next year. Watch here ⤵️
AFT President Randi Weingarten: We Are Not Powerless
YouTube video by AFT
youtube.com
My latest Substack is out: “When Labor Became Laboring: Griggs v. Duke Power and the Meaning of Labor Day.” Eight years into this work, I’m still finding new ways to tell the story of the 14 Black men at the heart of Griggs. substack.com/home/post/p-... #BHM2026 #BlackLivesMatters #LaborDay
Black Friday History Post: When Labor Became Laboring: Griggs v. Duke Power and the Meaning of Labor Day
Black Friday History Post #80
substack.com
Before losing her life in 1986 aboard Space Shuttle Challenger, Christa McAuliffe was set to be the first teacher in space with plans to teach a lesson to kids around the world from orbit. Today is her birthday, and even now, her courage and dedication to education continues to inspire.
I was honored to write the Introductory Notes for the Sept./Oct. issue of Social Studies and the Young Learner! It also reminded me: K–12 social studies is a continuum. What happens in one classroom becomes the foundation for the next. Proud to be part of NCSS. #NCSS #NHTOY2025 #TeachTruth
And since Trump and Republicans don’t really care about the Constitution: Obama 2028.
I want to live in a country where the food is safe—and the pedophiles are not. #ReleaseTheEpsteinFiles
www.catawba.edu/homecoming/s... I am planning to be there! Where are you Class of 1986!
Schedule
Catawba College is ranked #4 among the best colleges in the South. Located in historic Salisbury, NC, it is a private, coeducational liberal arts college established in 1851. Our mission is to enrich ...
catawba.edu
The Bureau of Land Management is rounding up thousands of mustangs around the U.S. and quietly selling them on the cheap to buyers who are exporting them for slaughter abroad, an examination of government records by The New York Times found. nyti.ms/4grb8Co
"Higher education is not a luxury...It expands opportunity. It advances scientific discovery. It educates the people who build our economy. It prepares citizens to govern themselves. And it creates knowledge that no market can produce on its own." - @proftwolf.bsky.social @aaup.org
Who Really Politicized Higher Education? (opinion)
It wasn’t the AAUP.
insidehighered.com
Where we spend money reflects what we stand for. For back-to-school, we’re encouraging people to put their dollars behind businesses that support union values—not ones working to undermine public ed, our democracy and union rights. Find local stores that support these values ▶️ ShopSmart.AFT.org.
Shop Smart, Not Target
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shopsmart.aft.org
When SNAP participation declines, families lose access to food, communities lose federal dollars, and local economies suffer. Congress can take action to reverse the harm and strengthen SNAP.
https://media0.giphy.com
https://media0.giphy.com
media0.giphy.com
Together we accomplish what is impossible alone. Congratulations to New York City school support professionals on this huge victory. 🎉✊ @psrp-aft.bsky.social
UFT@uft.org · last mo.🚨NEWS: THE RESPECT CHECK IS NOW LAW!! Thanks to our advocacy and our champions in @council.nyc.gov, especially @speakermenin.bsky.social and @cndelarosa.bsky.social, paras will now receive a critical financial boost.
Where we spend our money reflects what we stand for. This back-to-school season, let’s put our dollars behind local businesses that support workers, families and their communities—not Target. www.shopsmart.aft.org
New Black Friday History Post: America 250 and the Story I Almost Missed: Finding Black Patriots at Guilford Courthouse The discovery of 43 Black Patriots at Guilford Courthouse is a reminder that Black history is woven into the nation's founding story. open.substack.com/pub/valencia...
Black Friday History Post: America 250 and the Story I Almost Missed-Finding Black Patriots at Guilford Courthouse
Black Friday History Post #50
open.substack.com
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, I reflect on the Ohio River as a powerful symbol of freedom, hope, and the distance between America's promises and its realities. Just published on Substack: Black Friday History Post: The River Between Promise and Freedom. substack.com/home/post/p-...
Black Friday History Post: The River Between Promise and Freedom
Black Friday History Post #51
substack.com
My Black Friday History post is live on Substack. Reading The Davenports introduced me to C. R. Patterson, whose story challenged me to expand my understanding of Black entrepreneurship and innovation. substack.com/home/post/p-...
Black Friday History Post: Beyond the Forgotten Narrative: C. R. Patterson and the Black Entrepreneurs and Innovators Who Built America
Black Friday History Post #70
substack.com
Congratulations Everyone!!! #NHTOY2025 #NCHTOY2025
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History@gliamericanhistory.bsky.social · 2mo agoCongratulations to the 2026 History Teachers of the Year! They will each receive $1,000 and a curated collection of American history resources. One of these teachers will become the National History Teacher of the Year. See the list of winners at gilderlehrman.org/history-teacher-year/state-winners
My latest BFHP is live on Substack. I read With Love From Harlem to learn more about Hazel Scott. Came away wrestling with the reality that I can recognize the historical significance of someone I wouldn’t have liked personally. And I didn’t like Scott’s husband, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.
My latest BFHP is live on Substack. I read With Love From Harlem to learn more about Hazel Scott. Came away wrestling with the reality that I can recognize the historical significance of someone I wouldn’t have liked personally. And I didn’t like Scott’s husband, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.
I support Zohran in demonstrating to the United States the appropriate treatment of all citizens.
Every day, educators find new ways to support students and one another. This week's #PublicSchoolProud stories celebrate educators putting books into kids' hands, helping new teachers prepare their classrooms and connecting students to careers of the future.
My latest Black Friday History Post is live: Black Educators: A History Still Being Made. If you’ve ever had another teacher make space for you, encourage you, inspire you, or support you, this one is for you. valenciaabbott.substack.com/p/black-frid...
Black Friday History Post-Black Educators: A History Still Being Made
Black Friday History Post #71
valenciaabbott.substack.com
In a new AFT Voices, retiree Felicia Bruce reminds members that retirement is not the end of union activism—it’s a new chapter. Bruce calls on unions to engage retirees in political action, organizing, outreach and advocacy, reinforcing the message that activists never retire.
Still organizing, still fighting
By Felicia Bruce
aftvoices.org
My latest Black Friday History Post is live: Black Educators: A History Still Being Made. If you’ve ever had another teacher make space for you, encourage you, inspire you, or support you, this one is for you. valenciaabbott.substack.com/p/black-frid...
Black Friday History Post-Black Educators: A History Still Being Made
Black Friday History Post #71
valenciaabbott.substack.com
Republican rep Virginia Foxx is 83 years-old. She needs to leave congress as well. Let's put an end to her 20+ years of damage. North Carolina's 5th Congressional District deserves better than this Trumper. Vote for Democratic candidate Chuck Hubbard. #NC #Midterm2026
Congratulations Everyone!!! #NHTOY2025 #NCHTOY2025
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History@gliamericanhistory.bsky.social · 2mo agoCongratulations to the 2026 History Teachers of the Year! They will each receive $1,000 and a curated collection of American history resources. One of these teachers will become the National History Teacher of the Year. See the list of winners at gilderlehrman.org/history-teacher-year/state-winners
