Vice President Kamala Harris delivered the keynote address Thursday at the American Federation of Teachers conference in Houston. The speech marked Harris’ first appearance in Texas since she entered the presidential race. She is the favorite to win the Democratic Party’s nomination after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race Sunday.
Harris focused heavily on the importance of education and unions in her address to the room of union members and delegates. She emphasized the impact teachers have had both on her life and in molding future generations, and she reiterated her continual support of educators.
“You see the potential in every child,” Harris said. “You foster it, you encourage it and, in so doing, you shape the future of our nation. Which is why I say we need you so desperately right now.”
Harris touched on a swath of broader issues, including threats to LGBTQ+ communities and reproductive rights, through their connections to education.
Despite the range of topics she covered in the roughly 20 minute speech, Harris repeatedly returned to her campaign’s theme that “we are not going back” to Trump-era politics. Harris largely emphasized her intent to continue the Biden administration’s pro-union stance while also connecting with educators.
“You may not be a union member, but thank unions for the five day work week (and) eight hour work day,” Harris said. “Unions helped build America’s middle class. When unions are strong, America is strong.”
Harris’ speech acted as a launchpad for her campaign’s education policy. She reiterated her support for public schools and highlighted her own experience with public education, citing its success in leading her to where she is today.
She drew a contrast to former President Donald Trump’s campaign and Project 2025, a plan by a conservative think-tank to reshape the next Republican presidency. In recent weeks, Trump has said he is unfamiliar with Project 2025 and those who made it, though at least 140 former members of the Trump administration were involved in its creation according to CNN, and Trump’s nominee for Vice President, JD Vance, wrote the foreword for one of the think tank’s leader’s book.
The controversial plan calls for the disbanding of the Department of Education, something Trump has advocated for, and the disbanding of HeadStart, a program that provides pre-kindergarten programs to low-income communities.
“We see a future where every student has the support and the resources they need to thrive and a future where no teacher has to struggle with student loan debt,” Harris said. She went on to discuss the current administration’s efforts to forgive student loan debt.
Alison Chapin, 60, was an elementary school teacher in Houston ISD until last year, when she resigned following the Texas Education Agency’s takeover of the district. Chapin said she attended the conference to hear from AFT leaders on the state of education nationally, but was thrilled to hear Harris would be speaking.
Prior to Harris’ address, Chapin said she hoped Harris would stand up for educators, something she feels Republicans have avoided.
“I wanna hear that she’ll use power to give dignity and respect back to school teachers, specifically public school teachers,” Chapin said. “That she’ll fight for everyday people, not just people donating tens of millions like the other side.”
After Harris’ speech, Chapin and Houston ISD teacher Minh-Dan Tran, 40, felt very reassured that Harris supported educators and their concerns.
“She knew her audience well and spoke to the issues we are fighting (for),” Tran said.
However, some attendees felt that while Harris’ address was motivating and supportive, it could have tied back to Houston more directly.
Maria Benzon, 49, an attendee with a master’s in education and a history of political organizing, wanted to hear Harris’ thoughts on the HISD takeover, as well as a heavier emphasis on Republican advocacy for private school vouchers, especially in Texas. Despite that, Benzon felt Harris’ speech was effective.
Chapin, Benzon and Tran all reiterated their support for Harris, advocating against Republican efforts they said would harm education.
“When you look at the other side, how can you say you support teachers if you want to get rid of the Department of Education,” Benzon said of Project 2025.
In addition to attacks on federal education programs and departments, Harris condoned attempts to arm teachers in classrooms, which drew support from the audience, many of whom waved Harris campaign signs throughout the event. She also pushed back on book bans, which have been on the rise in recent months, then compared the two in an attack on the right.
“We want to ban assault weapons and they want to attack books,” she said.
Harris engaged the crowd in call and response chants as she concluded her speech, asking if they believed in freedom, opportunity and the promise of America, each of which drew loud support. She asked the crowd if they were willing to fight for each, to which they responded yes, and provided a final remark before leaving the stage.
“When we fight, we win.”
