The PFT is on a war footing, its decks cleared for battle and its course committed thanks to an election that returned the Ted Kirsch Team back to office with an unprecedented five to one mandate. 

The members of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers were sending a message as they returned Kirsch to the helm for a fifth three year term as its president with 76% of the vote. They were giving Kirsch free reign to begin the war to reclaim the Philadelphia School District. They also returned with the same margins, Vice President Jerry Jordan and 34 officers. Kirsch declared war after the votes were counted by saying "This is a real vote of confidence for the PFT leadership. We're ready to challenge a state takeover which aims to turn our school district into the nation's biggest laboratory for school privatization."

The savvy political leader, who also holds down the post of vice president of the Philadelphia AFL-CIO stated, "This union and its membership are concerned with more than just enforcing contract rights.”

“ We also care about our growth as professionals, as well as being advocates for genuine education reform in public education."