Retired Jefferson Federation of Teachers President Joe Potts, right, was recognized by Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan for his years of union service at the LFTs’ annual Union Leadership Institute in Baton Rouge on July 1.
Potts, who was elected president of JFT in 1988, retired on June 8. He remains President Emeritus of JFT and Executive Vice President of the LFT.
During his tenure as JFT president, Potts was a tireless and effective advocate for teachers and school employees in Jefferson Parish and across Louisiana. He was the chief negotiator in collective bargaining negotiations with the Jefferson Parish School Board. As Executive Vice President of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, he is a vital counselor and guide for policy decisions of the state’s largest education organization.