‘Schools must be open. In person. Five days a week,’ national teachers union leader says Randi Weingarten cited a visit to Texas, where schools mostly reopened in the fall Dallas second graders listen as teacher Michelle Jones conducts a lesson at Tom Gooch Elementary School. Most Texas schools reopened this school year during the pandemic offering a mix of in-person and virtual classes.(Ben Torres / Special Contributor) The president of the American Federation of Teachers on Thursday called for the full reopening of schools in the fall -- in-person and five days a week. Union leader Randi Weingarten said the widespread availability of vaccines is a “game-changer.” Health authorities this week authorized the use of the Pfizer vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds.