Randi Weingarten, the American Federation of Teachers, and the Challenges of Policy Leadership in a Hostile Environment

Abstract

Randi Weingarten is the president of the most vocal and infl uential teachers' union, the American Federation of Teachers. Since rising through the ranks to AFT president in just two years, Weingarten is now a major, if not the most prominent, nongovernmental player in national education policy. She has earned deep respect from many educational policy actors. Likewise, Weingarten elicits withering criticism from others. Th is fascinating profi le explains why, in such a brief period, she has proved to be a fi erce, fearless, and eff ective leader under extraordinarily diffi cult circumstances. Her experience off ers invaluable lessons applicable for others working in similarly intense policy arenas.