Harlem Federation of Teachers (Local 540) has been busy keeping up with their HFT Cares initiative to help feed families in their communities. They've even ramped up their efforts by partnering with a local restaurant to offer free meals.

Argo Council members joined together to sing the school fight song and spread cheer to their students.

Winthrop Harbor members took to Instagram to reach out to their students in this creative way.

Brett Blair doesn't let distance stop him from teaching poetry to his class.

Jackie Monckton, a Physical Therapy Assistant, posted this lesson for her special needs students - true dedication!

CTU member and IFT Vice President Christel Williams Hayes is using her considerable skills for something much different – and critically important – during this sad new "normal."

Two Waukegan members, Margot Gillin and retiree Mary Colver, have been busy sewing masks to donate to Waukegan Public Schools.

In a show of support for students during this pandemic, bus drivers showed local kids some love with a parade through their neighborhood.

Since mid-March, Kyle Stern, a 19-year math teacher, council president, and member of the West Suburban Teachers Union (Local 571), has written at least one letter, card, or postcard to every student. He’s also written to former students he taught or coached. He’s sent birthday cards, notes of recognition for excellent work during this online learning period, and words of encouragement to students who are having a difficult time during the pandemic.

Members came together to make a donation to their local food bank to help families in need in their community. In addition to a cash donation, the union donated 67 pounds of food! Teamwork makes the dream work!

As our teachers and school employees are continuing their hard work to serve students, they are also spreading encouragement and positive thoughts. These members put together a video to reach out to their students even though they are apart right now.

Waukegan Paraprofessionals helped pack tables full of boxed lunches to deliver to their students.

Teachers are making masks & face shields with 3-D printers to donate to local hospitals. Bonus: they're "engaging students in concept designs & instruction of assembly as part of their e-learning experience."

IFT members, including Band Directors Dierdre Cook Winthrop Harbor Council and Shan Kazmi from the Zion-Benton Council. Beautiful!

Members in Oak Lawn miss their students but reached out digitally with this touching video.

Mechanic Craig Wilkinson working hard on IDOT vehicles to keep them running during the coronavirus shutdown.

Music teachers from CFT partnered with teachers from the neighboring Urbana school district and other community groups to hold a sing-along!

Members are following the governor’s Executive Order by wearing their masks while working to serve students lunch.

These teachers from are bringing humor to their weekly physical education videos for students.

Joel Gherardini is doing his part making masks.

Belleville members and District 201 have installed mobile hot spots in school buses deployed to various locations throughout the district for students to access their e-learning work. Buses have a Wi-Fi radius of 350 feet, so students can maintain social distancing while using the hot spot. This smart solution was even mentioned on national news!

One thing is for sure in this uncertain time - our members miss their students! Winthrop Harbor Teachers made this video to connect with their kids.

Our teachers are truly dedicated to their students! Jennifer Tye made a home visit to explain a math problem to this student.

Carlton Merritt, a vehicle emissions compliance inspector is working remotely to help keep Illinoisans and our roads safe during this crisis.

Prairie Crossing Charter School teachers sent a message of positivity to their students.

Seniors in high school are coming to grips with the fact that the end of the year (and their high school experience) will not be the same as it was for others before them. Watch the heartfelt video below from Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey sharing advice about this with his own son.

A husband and wife teaching duo made local news talking about what it's like teaching from home.

Members have been busy reaching out to their students. They collaborated with administrators to send postcards to their school families that contained a QR code linking to a video. The teachers also coordinated a parade with bus drivers, parents, administrators, and local police to say hello to their students.