“We’re stronger when every child has the chance to live up to his or her potential, and public education gives our kids that chance,’’ Hillary Clinton told the more than 3,000 delegates, including a UFT contingent, at the AFT convention in Minneapolis on July 18.

“We ask so much of you, and we don’t give you enough in return,” she said. “As president I will launch a national campaign to modernize and elevate the profession of teaching.”

If elected president, Clinton promised to improve the lot of public school educators through professional development, higher salaries and relief from student debt. 

These efforts, she said, must involve unions. “If we are serious about supporting educators, we need to support unions,” she said. “When I’m president, you will have a partner in the White House, and you will always have a seat at the table.”

Clinton advocated more community schools and the “right balance” on testing. She vowed to continue to oppose “vouchers that drain resources from public schools and undermine their ability to provide the education our children deserve.” 

Donald Trump has said “America spends too much on education,” Clinton said. “He wants to, and I quote, largely eliminate the Department of Education” and its support programs.  He would “leave our most vulnerable students to fend for themselves,” she said.

His running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, “is one of the most hostile politicians in America when it comes to public education,” she said. Clinton noted that Pence has cut millions of dollars from higher education and turned away millions more in federal aid for his state that could have been used to support public education.

“Hillary has spent her life helping children and families and working people,” said UFT President Michael Mulgrew. “She showed us once again what it means to dedicate your life to public service, as opposed to fly-by-night politicians who are in it only for themselves.”