John Tarka

As President of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, John Tarka is committed to advocate for teacher recognition and rights, student achievement and educational reform. After serving about 30 years on the PFT Executive Board, he was unanimously approved in 2005 to serve as president. He was also an English and Speech teacher in Pittsburgh for 15 years as well as a football and track coach. His long history of involvement in union and education issues include: contract negotiations and implementation with K-12, college, and school support personnel locals; regular testimony before the State Board of Education and the Education Committees of the Pennsylvania House and Senate; service as former chairperson of Pennsylvania Professional Standards and Practices Commission.