Dal Lawrence

Dal Lawrence, who passed away on May 15, 2019, was president of the Toledo Federation of Teachers (TFT) for 30 years, as well as the husband of former TFT president, AFT executive vice president and ASI board member Fran Lawrence. Dal built TFT from one of the smaller teachers’ unions in Toledo to the sole union and bargaining agent, responsible for many innovative contracts dedicated to helping teachers teach and ensuring great learning conditions for students. Dal pioneered the union’s peer assistance and review program (the first program of its kind), developed building rep leadership programs and negotiated contracts that raised the pay and benefits and professionalism of teachers in the Toledo school district. Many of his ideas were taken up by other AFT locals across the country. Due to their many accomplishments and innovative programs, Dal and Fran were leaders of the Shanker Institute's Good Schools Seminar Series. Dal and his family generously suggested that tax-deductible contributions in his honor be made to the Albert Shanker Institute or to the Toledo Jazz Orchestra, P.O. Box 353123, Toledo, Ohio 43635. Contribute to the Shanker Institute in Dal's memory HERE.