New day for public education - INSIDE One of our own President-elect pledges to put an educator at helm of U.S. DOE | 4 - NYSUT

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New day for public education - INSIDE One of our own President-elect pledges to put an educator at helm of U.S. DOE | 4 - NYSUT
www.nysut.org | January/February 2021
                                          INSIDE
                                          One of our own            A seat at the table
                                          President-elect pledges   Union voice imperative when
                                          to put an educator        navigating COVID-19
                                          at helm of U.S. DOE | 4   workplace hazards | 24

                                          New day for
                                        public education
New day for public education - INSIDE One of our own President-elect pledges to put an educator at helm of U.S. DOE | 4 - NYSUT
CONTENTS                          NYSUT UNITED [ January/February 2021, Vol. 11, No. 3 ]
                                         Director of Communications: Damien LaVera                   NYSUT United is a member publication of the                  Road, Latham, NY 12110
                                                                                                     International Labor Communications Association,
     5:   Resources for                  Lead Editor/Copy Desk Chief: Clarisse Butler Banks
                                         Assistant Editors/Writers:
                                                                                                     Metro New York Labor Communications Council,
                                                                                                                                                                  UFT member address changes: POSTMASTER:
                                                                                                                                                                  New York Teacher, 52 Broadway,
          laid-off members               Liza Frenette, Ned Hoskin, Sylvia Saunders,
                                                                                                     State Education Association Communicators.                   12th floor, New York, NY 10004
                                         Kara E. Smith, Matt Smith, Andrew Watson                    Editorial and Production Department:                         PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT LATHAM, NY
                                                                                                     518-213-6000 and 800-342-9810 (toll-free)                    ADDITIONAL ENTRY OFFICE
     6: Jan. 8 deadline for
                                         Photo Editor: J. El-Wise Noisette
                                                                                                     Annual subscription: $15. NYSUT members receive              WILLIAMSPORT, PA 17701
                                         Lead Designer: Nicole Clayton
          TRS Board vacancy              Art and Production: Dana Fournier
                                                                                                     a copy of NYSUT United as part of their dues benefit.
                                                                                                     Households with multiple members will receive only one
                                                                                                                                                                  NYSUT United (ISSN 21587914) and nysut.org are
                                                                                                                                                                  official publications of New York State United Teachers.
                                         Advertising: Lori DiVeglia                                  copy. If you do wish to receive more than one copy, please   NYSUT United publishes six issues from September
     8: Union food drives                Online Communications Coordinator: Bryan Thomas
                                         Editorial Support: Julie Malec
                                                                                                     call 518-213-6000.
                                                                                                     Address changes: POSTMASTER:
                                                                                                                                                                  to June.
                                                                                                                                                                  Advertising: Email Lori DiVeglia at lori.diveglia
          filling in the gaps                                                                        Member Records Department, 800 Troy-Schenectady              @nysut.org or call 518-213-6000 or 800-448-4ADS.

                                         NYSUT Affiliated with AFT               NEA AFL-CIO
10: Our SRPs: Mary
          Smith, Syracuse TA             NEW YORK STATE UNITED TEACHERS                                                              AT-LARGE DIRECTORS:
                                         800 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, NY 12110                                                 Cheryl Hughes, Joseph Cantafio, Andrew Bogey, Brian Ebertz, William Scott, Don
                                         518-213-6000 800-342-9810                                                                   Carlisto, Maria Pacheco, Matthew Haynes, Samantha Rosado-Ciriello, Cordelia
12: An unlikely group                    OFFICERS:                                                                                   Anthony, Ronald Verderber, Wayne White, Debra Penny, Howard Schoor, Analia Gerard,
                                                                                                                                     Thomas Brown, Janella Hinds, Sterling Roberson, Barbara Bowen, Frederick Kowal,
          questions teacher              President: Andy Pallotta
                                                                                                                                     Florence McCue, Shelvy Y. Abrams (SRPs), Sandra Carner-Shafran (SRPs), Karen Lee
                                         Executive Vice President: Jolene T. DiBrango
          ratings this year              Second Vice President: Ron Gross                                                            Arthmann (SRPs), Deborah Paulin (SRPs), Angie Rivera (SRPs), Anne Goldman (Health
                                         Secretary-Treasurer: J. Philippe Abraham                                                    Care), Stephen Rechner (Private Sector Higher Ed), Andrew Sako (Community Colleges),
                                                                                                                                     Pamela Malone (Higher Education) and Michael Fabricant (Higher Education)
19: RA        Campaign &                 ELECTION DISTRICT DIRECTORS:
                                         Peter Stuhlmiller, Michelle Licht, Joseph J. Najuch, Kevin Mole, Adam Urbanski,
                                                                                                                                     EX-OFFICIO BOARD MEMBER:
          Election Procedures            Andrew Jordan, John Kuryla, David Chizzonite, Jeanette Stapley, Laura Franz, Joseph
                                                                                                                                     Melinda Person, Executive Director/NYSUT Political Director
                                                                                                                                     HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS:
                                         Herringshaw, Juliet Benaquisto, Melissa Servant, Sparrow Tobin, Sean
                                                                                                                                     Antonia Cortese (Emerita), Thomas Y. Hobart Jr. (President Emeritus),
                                         Kennedy, Jeffrey Yonkers, Tomia Smith, Frederic Stark, Gregory Perles, John
23: Share your strike                    Mansfield, Kevin Coyne, Nancy Sanders, Laura Spencer, Karen Blackwell Alford,
                                                                                                                                     Alan B. Lubin (Executive Vice President Emeritus)
          memories                       Dwayne Clark, Evelyn DeJesus, Amy Arundell, MaryJo Ginese, Mary Atkinson,
                                                                                                                                     AFT VICE PRESIDENTS:
                                                                                                                                     J. Philippe Abraham, Shelvy Y. Abrams, Barbara Bowen, Don Carlisto,
                                         Anthony Harmon, Michael Mulgrew, Elizabeth Perez, Cassie Prugh, Richard Mantell,
                                                                                                                                     Evelyn DeJesus, Jolene T. DiBrango, Ron Gross, Anthony M. Harmon, Frederick
                                         LeRoy Barr, Iris DeLutro (City & Private Higher Ed), Steven London (City & Private Higher
31: Free Black History                   Ed), Roberta Elins (Community Colleges), Jamie Dangler (State Higher Ed, UUP), Rowena
                                                                                                                                     Kowal, Michael Mulgrew, Andy Pallotta, Adam Urbanski
                                                                                                                                     NEA DIRECTORS:
          Month poster;                  Blackman-Stroud (State Higher Ed, UUP), Thomas Tucker (State Higher Ed, UUP), Philip
                                                                                                                                     Serena Kotch, Thomas McMahon
                                         Rumore, Adam Piasecki, Dora Leland, Loretta Donlon (Retiree),
          Kudos!                         Rosemary Catanzariti (Retiree), Thomas Murphy (Retiree)
                                                                                                                                     Alternate Directors: Sue Raichilson, Dora Leland
                                                                                                                                     Executive Committee members are underlined.

                                         Have a Safe and
                                         Happy Holid ay
                                             Season

                  From Your Friends and union FamilY at new York state united teachers

                       Andrew Pallotta            Jolene T. DiBrango                                        Ron Gross                                 J. Philippe Abraham
                             President          Executive Vice President                            Second Vice President                               Secretary-Treasurer

2|   January/February 2021                                                                                                                                                            Official Publication of NYSUT
New day for public education - INSIDE One of our own President-elect pledges to put an educator at helm of U.S. DOE | 4 - NYSUT
[ FIGHTING FOR YOU ]

                                                                                                                                          COMING UP
  The song remains the same:                                                                                                          Jan. 6

        Raise revenue                                                                                                                 Governor’s State of the State
                                                                                                                                      address; 2021 NYS legislative
                                                                                                                                      session convenes

Union’s legislative priorities                As a result of the fiscal situation,     to public schools. The alternative
focus on COVID–19 issues                   the New York State Division of Budget       simply isn’t acceptable for students,
                                           has been withholding support for            educators and families.”
By Ned Hoskin                              higher education on SUNY and CUNY
                                                                                       Session in isolation
ned.hoskin@nysut.org                       campuses as well as community col-
                                                                                         The legislative session will be
                                           leges, causing massive layoffs, lost

T
                                                                                       even more unusual than last year’s,
         here’s no debate over this
                                           programs and ballooning class sizes.
                                                                                       which shifted to remote business and           Jan. 11–12
                                           They also zeroed-out funding for edu-                                                      Board of Regents meets
         fact: At the current rate, in                                                 essentially kept the books open for
                                           cational programs such as Universal
         the midst of a pandemic,                                                      months. This year, the Legislature will
New York State faces a fiscal deficit of
                                           Pre-K and teacher centers,
                                                                                          meet online to comply with social           Jan. 18
                                           essentially                                                                                Martin Luther King Jr. Day
some $60 billion over the next four to                                                     distancing requirements.
                                           shutting
five years.                                                                                     Of course, that also means
                                           them
   And there should be no debate                                                           the face-to-face rituals of lobby-
over this fact, as well: The two-                                                           ing at the Capitol will be impos-
pronged solution is to enact federal                                                         sible. NYSUT activists in the
COVID-19 stimulus funding and to                                                             Committee of 100, and the leg-
raise revenue at home by taxing the                                                           islative staff, will still be work-
state’s wealthiest                                                                            ing the phones, the emails and
residents.                                                                                     the Zoom meetings.
                                                                                                                                      Jan. 20
                                                                                                  Obviously, COVID–19                 59th Presidential Inauguration
                                                                                               recovery is the No. 1 priority.
                                                                                               Students in all public schools         Jan. 29–30
                                                                                              —including low-wealth rural             NYSUT Board of Directors meets
                                                                                              and urban areas — must have
                                                                                             the equipment, the internet ac-          Feb. 8–9
                                                                                            cess and the resources needed             Board of Regents meets
                                                                                            to support their education.

   “We can                                                                                      NYSUT activists will also be          Feb. 12–14
                                                                                                   looking to restore funding         NYS Association of Black and
hope the changes in Washington,
                                                                                                                                      Puerto Rican Legislators annual
D.C., will loosen the purse strings for    down. Now,                                                      cuts that were
                                                                                                                                      legislative conference
much needed pandemic relief,” said         a further 20                                                  made last year. In
NYSUT President Andy Pallotta. “But        percent reduction                                            higher education              Please note, some or all of these events
we need the commonsense revenue            in state aid looms as                                     and pre-K–12, these              may be conducted as virtual meetings in
enhancers at home to survive this          a step toward closing                                 programs must be made                compliance with social distancing guidance.
                                                                                       whole.                                         NYSUT will continue to hold lobby days in
medical, educational and economic          the state budget gap.
                                                                                                                                      2021. However, they will be held virtually due
disaster.”                                 Such cuts taken in lieu                        Community schools, which serve              to COVID-19. Details and dates are still being
   Enacted as the coronavirus              of revenue solutions are unfair and         entire communities with wrap-                  finalized. Information will be shared with
shoved the economy into a tailspin,        ill-advised, NYSUT maintains.               around health and social services              Local Presidents in January.
last year’s state budget reduced state         “This is simple,” Pallotta said.        to improve education, took a hit last
support for schools for 2020–21 by         “Devastating cuts to state aid will         year. They require committed fund-
$1.1 billion through what was called       lead to a reprehensible loss of oppor-      ing to build a better system, with a
the Pandemic Adjustment. Some              tunities for students. It’s time to refo-   school nurse in every building, and
of that was covered by the federal         cus on federal stimulus funding and         to ensure supports are available to
                                                                                                                                    Designed by Nicole Clayton
CARES Act, but it did not fully restore    state revenues that can help cover          help with the mental health needs of
lost state aid to public schools.          the budget gap and stop deep cuts           students and teachers.

www.nysut.org                                                                                                                                     January/February 2021           |3
New day for public education - INSIDE One of our own President-elect pledges to put an educator at helm of U.S. DOE | 4 - NYSUT
[ FIGHTING FOR YOU ]

    We’ll have one of our own in the White House
                                                                                                                        educators, this is a great day. You’re                  Biden is passionate about the power
                                                                                                                        going to have one of your own in the                    of community college as a path to
                                                                                                                        White House.”                                           success — and always a strong advo-
                                                                                                                            Known as “Dr. B.” to her com-                       cate for expanding higher education
                                                                                                                        munity college students, Biden has                      access and support.
                                                                                                                        been an educator for more than                              Not surprisingly, Jill Biden strongly
                                                                                                                        three decades. Before moving to                         supports her husband’s promise to
                                                                                                                        Washington, D.C., she taught English                    appoint an educator to be the na-
                                                                                                                        and writing at a community college                      tion’s new education secretary.
                                                                                                                        in Delaware, at public high schools                         “Four years of Betsy DeVos is more
                                                                                                                        and at a psychiatric hospital for                       than enough,” Joe Biden said. “We
                                                                                                                        adolescents. When she gave her                          need a secretary of education who is
                                                                                                                        Democratic National Convention                          actually a public school educator.”
                                                                                                                        speech last summer, it was from her                         DeVos, who has been among the
                                                                                                                        former classroom at Brandywine High                     most unpopular cabinet members
                                                                                                                        School in Delaware.                                     in the Trump administration, never
                                                                                                                            She earned her Ph.D. from the                       taught in a classroom or attended a
                                                                                                                        University of Delaware in 2007, with                    public school. The education secre-
                                                                                                                        a dissertation on how to maximize                       tary oversees the U.S. Department
                                                            As second lady, Jill Biden frequently visited schools.
                                                                                                                        student retention in community col-                     of Education and sets the nation’s
By Sylvia Saunders
sylvia.saunders@nysut.org                                                                                               lege. She also has master’s degrees in                  agenda on everything from standard-
                                                            much that she will continue teaching
                                                                                                                        education and English.                                  ized testing requirements to federal
                                                            at an area community college even

T
                                                                                                                            Jill Biden is often asked why                       funding priorities.
          alk about elevating teacher                       after she moves into the White House
                                                                                                                        she wants to continue teaching at                           Biden has repeatedly made it clear
          voice. When President-elect                       — just like she did while her husband
                                                                                                                        Northern Virginia Community College                     he intends to keep listening to educa-
          Joe Biden takes his oath                          served as vice president. She is a
                                                                                                                        while serving as first lady.                            tors. “You will never find in American
of office this month, he will have a                        longtime member of the National
                                                                                                                            “It’s important, and I want people                  history a president who is more
longtime teacher and union member                           Education Association.
                                                                                                                        to value teachers and know their con-                   teacher-centric and more supportive
standing by his side: Dr. Jill Biden.                           “Teaching isn’t just what she does.
                                                                                                                        tributions, and lift up the profession,”                of teachers than me,” Biden told NEA
   The future first lady is a lifelong                      It’s who she is,” Joe Biden said in his
                                                                                                                        she told the “CBS Morning Show.”                        members at their 2020 convention.
educator who loves the profession so                        Nov. 7 victory speech. “For America’s

                             NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION MEETING • NYSUT BOARD OF DIRECTORS VACANCY ELECTION • ELECTION DISTRICT 26
A vacancy exists on the NYSUT Board of Directors            The delegates and alternates of ED 24–35 are here-          the NYSUT Office of the President at 800-342-9810.      At the Special Election Meeting, each candidate shall
for Election District 26. The vacancy was created by        by notified that this vacancy will be filled by a Special                                                           be given an opportunity to address the meeting for
                                                                                                                        Nominations to fill this vacancy will be accepted
the resignation of Evelyn DeJesus, effective Dec. 31,       Election. Due to ongoing government restrictions                                                                    a period not to exceed three (3) minutes at a Candi-
                                                                                                                        in accordance with the Campaign and Election
2020.                                                       on public gatherings brought on by the COVID-19                                                                     dates’ forum scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb.
                                                                                                                        Procedures approved by the NYSUT Board of Direc-
                                                            pandemic, and in order to ensure compliance with                                                                    9, 2021, via electronic Zoom meeting. Ballots will
In accordance with the NYSUT Constitution, Article                                                                      tors adopted for the 2020 Representative Assembly.
                                                            the NYSUT Constitution, Bylaws, and all applicable                                                                  be mailed to electors on or about Thursday, Feb. 11,
IX, §§4(a) and 4(b): “Directors representing Election                                                                   In order to qualify as a candidate for this Special
                                                            laws, this Special Election will be conducted by mail                                                               2021. Ballots must be returned to and received by
Districts shall be elected on a roll call vote by a                                                                     Election, a Nominating Petition must be fully com-
                                                            ballot following an electronic special election Zoom                                                                NYSUT Elections Committee by the close of business
majority of ballots cast by the representatives from                                                                    pleted and then signed by at least two (2) in-service
                                                            meeting:                                                                                                            (5 p.m.) on Thursday, March 11, 2020, for tabulation
their respective constituencies...[and in]…the event                                                                    members from ED 24–35.
                                                                                                                                                                                at that time, or as soon afterward as possible.
of a vacancy in the position of Election District Direc-      DATE: Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021
                                                                                                                        The completed and signed Nominating Petition must
tor, the President shall call a special election to elect     TIME: 6 p.m.                                                                                                      The candidate elected will serve as successor
                                                                                                                        then be received by the NYSUT Elections Committee
a successor who shall serve for the remainder of the          PLACE: Electronic Zoom Meeting                                                                                    Election District Director immediately upon the
                                                                                                                        by the close of business (5 p.m.) on Jan. 25, 2021.
unexpired term.”                                                                                                                                                                completion of tabulation and continue to serve as
                                                            All eligible delegate voters who were reported to           Any member in good standing from a NYSUT local
                                                                                                                                                                                the Successor Director through the conclusion of the
Pursuant to NYSUT Constitution, Article IX, §4(b)           the 2020 NYSUT Representative Assembly from ED              within ED 24–35 may be a candidate. Only in-service
                                                                                                                                                                                2023 Representative Assembly.
and the approved NYSUT Campaign and Election                24-35 will be sent login instructions one week prior        members in good standing from ED 24–35 may sign
Procedures, NYSUT members who were reported as              to the meeting, Feb. 9, 2021. If a delegate does not        a candidate’s Nominating Petition. Nominating Peti-     All elected delegates or their alternates reported for
elected delegates to the 2020 Representative As-            receive login instructions by that date, they may re-       tions are available by contacting the NYSUT Elections   the 2020 NYSUT RA from ED 24–35 are requested to
sembly representing the members of ED 24–35 will            quest instructions by contacting the NYSUT Elections        Committee at elections@nysut.org or by contacting       be present for this election meeting.
be eligible to vote in this Special Election.               Committee at elections@nysut.org or by contacting           the NYSUT Office of the President at 800-342-9810.

4|    January/February 2021                                                                                                                                                                     Official Publication of NYSUT
New day for public education - INSIDE One of our own President-elect pledges to put an educator at helm of U.S. DOE | 4 - NYSUT
[ FIGHTING FOR YOU ]

      Furloughs, layoffs are not the answer
By Ned Hoskin                             school year, Scott said. Talks with the     strain of the coronavirus crisis.                   Meanwhile, the Whitesboro dis-
ned.hoskin@nysut.org                      STA continue.                                  As a result, Gov. Cuomo an-                  trict, near Utica, put 103 non-teaching
                                             “We are working on finalizing an         nounced $1.5 billion to provide mon-            staff members on furlough between

T
                                          agreement for voluntary furlough that       ey to organizations facing cash flow            Thanksgiving and Christmas while
          he statewide union is stand-
                                          would meet members’ needs and               issues. The state AFL-CIO supported             the district switched to remote-
          ing up for common sense
                                          would not interfere with instruction,”      the move as a temporary fix to help             only learning. The local Whitesboro
          and urging calm this holiday
                                          Scott said.                                 keep organizations operational in               Employees Union ensured fur-
season as districts struggle with re-
                                             Districts in several regions             January and February while the state            loughed staff members retained
duced state aid and fear further fiscal
                                          went through the same thing in              budget is being negotiated. NYSUT               health insurance coverage and could
fallout of the pandemic.
                                          September. After efforts to pass a          is working with the governor’s office           use paid time off.
    The rush to cut staff might save
                                          second COVID-19 stimulus bill in            to ensure that these funds will be                  “This is an incredibly painful situ-
pennies, but the cost to the commu-
                                          Washington stalled, some districts          accessible by public schools, SUNY              ation for the members of the WEU
nity is devastating.
                                          threatened massive layoffs because,         and CUNY to stave off additional cuts           and one that we do not take lightly,”
    Two weeks before the holiday
                                          they said, the state told them aid was      and layoffs.                                    Jennifer Faulkner, union president,
break, the Syracuse Teachers
                                          being withheld and the cuts had to                                                          told the Observer-Dispatch. “Make no
Association met to discuss the dis-
                                          be made.                                                                                    mistake, though, the district’s deci-
trict’s sudden plans to furlough and
                                             NYSUT and local unions fought                                                            sion will have ripple effects across
lay off teachers and School-Related
                                          back — even taking legal action —                                                           our community.”
Professionals, plans based on poten-
                                          and the Division of Budget promised
tial 20 percent cuts in school aid.                                                                                                   Help from your union
                                          to deliver some of the delayed school
    NYSUT President Andy Pallotta,                                                                                                       NYSUT’s online Career Center at
                                          aid payments and to hold off on fur-
who met online with STA members                                                                                                       nysut.org/resources includes links
                                          ther cuts until after the elections. DOB
and President Bill Scott, said it’s not                                                                                               for education job listings in New York
                                          said it was all a misunderstanding.
clear why the district floated this                                                                                                   State, along with information to help
                                             Some layoffs were averted, al-
proposal.                                                                                                                             you progress in your career and many
                                          though many were not, including in
    Pallotta called the Division of                                                                                                   links to additional resources.
                                          Schenectady, Albany and Rochester.
Budget in Albany and asked if there                                                                                                      The “Resources for Laid-Off
                                             NYSUT continues its Fund Our
was some new directive to cut staff,                                                  Bill Scott, president of the Syracuse TA.       Employees” provides information
                                          Future initiative that calls for new fed-
because the Syracuse district said it                                                                                                 about protecting your benefits, your
                                          eral stimulus funding for education         Below: NYSUT President Andy Pallotta is
had no choice.                                                                                                                        rights in returning to work, and news
                                          and state revenue enhancements,             interviewed by CNYCentral about the situation
    “The answer I got is no,” he said.                                                in Syracuse.                                    and resources to help in a job search.
                                          including taxes on the ultra-wealthy.
    STA’s Scott said 85 percent of the
                                             NYSUT expects to see a pan-
district’s funding comes from the
                                          demic aid package from the federal
state, and proposed cuts could result
                                          government, although there are no
in a $40–$70 million shortfall. But
                                          guarantees.
they haven’t happened yet.
                                             In mid-December, NYSUT, other
    The district has already enacted
                                          labor unions and the State AFL-CIO
a central office hiring freeze, begun
                                          urged lawmakers to increase rev-
austerity spending and program
                                          enue by taxing ultramillionaires and
reductions. It seeks the layoffs and
                                          billionaires, saying it would raise up
furloughs to help cut $15 million in
                                          to $9 billion to offset the economic
spending for the remainder of the

www.nysut.org                                                                                                                                    January/February 2021   |5
New day for public education - INSIDE One of our own President-elect pledges to put an educator at helm of U.S. DOE | 4 - NYSUT
[ FIGHTING FOR YOU ]

       TRS board
        vacancy;
                                                    Union: Remain vigilant
     Jan. 8 deadline
     NYSUT Second Vice President and
                                                  against privatization threats
 NYSTRS Trustee Ron Gross will be
 stepping down from the NYSTRS Board                                                             less likely to disclose. “Privatizers      By the time the three-year grant
 of Trustees on Jan. 31. This will create                                                        literally put our students and teach-   program was up, Moran said, the
 a vacancy for one of the three teacher-                                                         ers in danger. As an association, we    district was in better financial shape
 members on the NYSTRS Board.                                                                    need to stop mincing words and          to bring back the bargaining unit
     NYSUT is accepting applications from                                                        say it that way.”                       social workers but has failed to do so
 NYSUT members, who are actively teach-                                                              In challenging times, “we need      to the staffing level that existed prior
 ing, for consideration for an appointment                                                       more transparency and public            to 2012.
 by the New York State Commissioner of                                                           accountability,” he said. “The com-        “We put them on notice that we
 Education to fill the remainder of Gross’s
                                                                                                 munity and school district should       did not agree to use the subcon-
 term, which will expire in November. The
                                                                                                 be as committed to SRPs as they         tracted workers,” Moran said. The
 appointee will then seek election to a
                                                                                                 are to students.”                       union filed an improper practice
 three-year term on the NYSTRS Board
 at the NYSTRS Delegates Meeting in                                                                  The COVID-19 pandemic is a          charge in December 2017. This year,
 November.                                                                                       time to recognize how essential         the TA won a PERB case to eliminate
     NYSUT members wishing to apply                                                              SRP’s are, Barchak said.                the use of the subcontracted social
 should submit a letter of intent and a                                                              Privatization often leads to a      workers and return the work to bar-
 resume no later than Jan. 8, outlining how                                                      combination of business practices       gaining unit personnel. The district is
 their credentials and background align                                                          that will make a school commu-          appealing.
 with the candidate guidelines outlined in                                            PROVIDED
                                                                                                 nity less safe, he said, including a       The subcontracting of these social
                                                Stacy Moran, Newburgh TA
 the NYSUT Policy Manual. Specifically,                                                       workforce that can be less stable due      workers is concerning for several
 candidates should possess:                                                                   to temporary job seekers, and work-        reasons, Moran explained, with the
        A working knowledge of, and experi-
                                                By Liza Frenette                              ers not as committed to the school         key concern being that their services
 ence with, the state Teachers’ Retirement
                                                liza.frenette@nysut.org                       population.                                were limited only to students who
 System;
                                                                                                  SRPs are not the only school work-     had health insurance.

                                                T
        A demonstrated, long-standing
 interest in retirement matters, such                      here are people who use            force   at risk.                              “In a district like Newburgh, that
 as serving as a delegate to the annual                    disasters and crises to profit         Recently, the Newburgh                 cuts out so many students,” she said.
 NYSTRS Delegates Meeting;                                 and laborers need to be            Teachers Association won a Public
        A willingness to run for election for   watchful against attempts to privatize        Employment Relations Board rul-
 this position in November of 2021 for
 a new three-year term of office on the
                                                their work now during the pandemic            ing upholding its opposition to the
                                                                                              ongoing privatization of school social
                                                                                                                                           Get your story
 NYSTRS Board of Trustees; and
                                                when education budgets are being
                                                slashed.                                      workers.                                     out
        A willingness to commit to NYSUT’s                                                        Stacy Moran, Newburgh TA                     When fighting against
                                                    Tim Barchak, organizer, lobby-
 retirement education program and work                                                        president,    explained that during          the threat of privatiza-
                                                ist and policy analyst with National
 with the other NYSTRS Trustees.                                                                                                           tion, Barchak said, it’s
                                                Education Association, issued that            an economic crisis in 2012–13, the
     Candidates who meet the qualifica-                                                                                                    important for those working in education
                                                warning during NYSUT’s 2020                   district lost social workers and school
 tions listed above will be contacted                                                                                                      to ensure that school boards, parents
                                                School-Related Professionals leader-          psychologists. A community schools
 for an interview by NYSUT’s Selection                                                                                                     and the public understand how vital their
 Committee. Virtual interviews will be          ship conference, held online this             grant brought in subcontracted
                                                                                                                                           roles are.
 conducted on the evenings of Jan. 20 and       year.                                         social workers through the Orange
                                                                                              County Department of Mental Health             Attend monthly school board meet-
 Jan. 21.                                           Privatizers can ignore benefits —
                                                                                                                                              ings; become recognized names and
     NYSUT members who are interested           such as sick days and health care —           for three years; the psychologists
                                                                                                                                              faces.
 in applying for this position should email     vital to keeping workplaces healthy           were not replaced.
 their resume and a letter of intent to                                                                                                      Let stakeholders such as BOE, PTA
                                                and safe during the pandemic.                     “Clinical staffing was reduced by
 the Office of the NYSUT President at                                                                                                         and other parent groups know the
                                                    “If there’s an outbreak of COVID-19       five clinicians, resulting in a total of
 NYSTRSdelegates@nysut.org.                                                                                                                   types of work you and your colleagues
                                                we want to know if an employee is             15 school psychologists and social
     Questions? Please contact NYSUT’s                                                                                                        perform.
                                                feeling ill,” Barchak said. However,          workers for over 11,000 students,”
 Deputy Director of Legislation Pete                                                                                                         Ask board members and legislators to
                                                if employees feel pressured to work           Moran said. Elementary, middle and
 Savage, at peter.savage@nysut.org.                                                                                                           job shadow for a day.
                                                or don’t have sick days, they may be          high school students were affected.

6|   January/February 2021                                                                                                                            Official Publication of NYSUT
New day for public education - INSIDE One of our own President-elect pledges to put an educator at helm of U.S. DOE | 4 - NYSUT
[ FIGHTING FOR YOU ]

                                                                    Committee meeting has
                                                                     “PowHERful” theme
By Kara Smith                                                                                                                                      President Ron Gross and Secretary-
kara.smith@nysut.org                                                                                                                               Treasurer J. Philippe Abraham,
                                                                                                                                                   welcomed attendees. “I’m proud of

T
          he United States will inau-                                                                                                              the work you’re doing to encourage
          gurate Kamala Harris as vice                                                                                                             more members to take active roles in
          president in January; she                                                                                                                our union,” said Pallotta.
will be the first woman to hold the                                                                                                                   With the pandemic, the 100th
position. Harris will also be the first                                                                                                            anniversary of the 19th Amendment
woman of color to serve in the office,                                                                                                             and Kamala Harris’ election, “2020
but our nation still lacks true equality.                                                                                                          has been a year like no other … we
    Women don’t have full reproduc-                                                                                                                have seen the lowest of lows and the
tive rights; economic equality; equal                                                                                                              highest of highs,” said DiBrango. “At
access to health care; and don’t hold                                                                                                              our lowest, it’s easy to feel powerless,
positions of power in equal propor-                                                                                                                but women — our power, our ideas,
tion to their numbers.
                                                                                                                SCREEN CAPTURE BY LESLIE ROSE      our resiliency and our perseverance
    “Until women have equality              NYSUT members from across the state come together for the 2020 Women’s Committee meeting.              — are needed to lead now more than
in these areas, a women’s move-                                                                                                                    ever before.”
ment is still necessary,” said Jolene       SAG-AFTRA, a 165,000-member                         and women from advocating for                         For more information about the
DiBrango, NYSUT executive vice              entertainment union, and become                     themselves.”                                       NYSUT Women’s Committee, or to
president. Those words underscored          a statewide workers’ advocate.                         Women’s committees are impor-                   learn how to start a NYSUT Women’s
the “PowHERful” theme of the 2020           Reardon advised speaking up, be-                    tant because they’re an “opportunity               Committee chapter in your local, visit
NYSUT Women’s Committee meet-               ing heard and getting comfortable                   for members to feel connected to                   nysut.org/women.
ing in November, a virtual weekend          with power, not undercutting it with                their local,” said Rose, co-founder
focused on raising awareness about          humor or apologies.                                 of NYSUT Women of Long
the challenges women face and                   “Treat men the same way you treat               Island. “For women who
learning how to support and em-             women,” she said urging listeners to                don’t want to run for of-
power the next generation of female         empower the next female vice presi-                 fice, it’s another way to get
leaders.                                    dent or president. “We have as much                 involved.”
    Session topics included recogniz-       right to be there as anyone else.”                     NYSUT President Andy
ing and preventing human traffick-              DiBrango and committee co-                      Pallotta, Second Vice
ing; disparities and implicit biases in     chairs Aisha Cook, New Rochelle
women’s health care; fostering girls’       Federation of United School
and women’s interest in science             Employees, and Leslie Rose, Hewlett-
and math; and understanding how             Woodmere Faculty Association,
intersectionality — overlapping dif-        advocated amplifying women’s
ferences in gender, race and class          voices and harnessing their power as
— impacts discrimination. In an art         educators, leaders and activists.
session, participants used images               Speaking up in difficult times is
and words to visually document their        particularly important. “People as-
strengths.                                  sume that when you’re quiet, you’re
    New York State Department               ok,” said Cook who established the
of Labor Commissioner Roberta               first NYSUT Women’s Committee
Reardon’s keynote address detailed          in her local and is an AFT Women’s
how she rose from a traditional             Committee member. “A fear of being                                                                  In one exercise, Women’s Committee members
upbringing to co-found and lead             viewed negatively keeps many girls                                                                  use art to document their strengths.

www.nysut.org                                                                                                                                                   January/February 2021    |7
New day for public education - INSIDE One of our own President-elect pledges to put an educator at helm of U.S. DOE | 4 - NYSUT
[ SOCIAL JUSTICE ]

      Union food drives filling in the gaps
By Liza Frenette                         September was in line for her family                    and hall monitors.                           NYSUT Executive Vice President
liza.frenette@nysut.org                  and a neighbor.                                            “They’re angry this has hap-           Jolene DiBrango, Secretary-Treasurer
                                            One man lost his job due to the                      pened,” she said as a car drove up        Philippe Abraham, and Second Vice

O
            ne car at a time. One need   pandemic. His unemployment is due                       for food and co-workers shouted           President Ron Gross, loaded food
                                         to end Dec. 26.                                         greetings.                                into boxes in the morning hours
            at a time. The cars wound
                                            While drivers waited, volunteers                        NYSUT worked with the Regional         before the food drives opened.
            around corners and
                                         loaded boxes of frozen chicken, let-                    Food Bank and Catholic Charities             One teacher waiting for food had
orange cones. Each car had its trunk
                                         tuce, potato salad, potatoes, eggs,                     to stage the drive-thru pantries in       to take a year absence to care for
popped up, waiting to pick up food.
                                         oranges, brussel sprouts, sausages,                     Latham, Schenectady and Albany,           her son with special needs because
   Two large-scale drive-thru food
                                         and fresh fruit.                                        coordinating with the Schenectady         COVID-19 has prevented access to
pantries and several small ones
                                            “Schenectady lost 440 staff, and                     Federation of Teachers, Albany            both full-time in-school classes and
sponsored by NYSUT and other la-
                                         Albany lost more than 200. This is for                  Public School Teachers Association        day care.
bor, religious and civic organizations
                                         them, and for members of our com-                       and Albany Public School United              “Essentially I’ve lost a year of pay,”
helped more than 1,000 families.
                                         munity in need of food,” said NYSUT                     Employees.                                she said, the worry lines on her fore-
Local unions have also held regional
                                         President Andy Pallotta, dropping                          “All of us need to do what we          head visible over her mask.
food drives on Long Island and in
                                         frozen chickens into the boxes. “It’s                   can … and that little thing is going to      “I see the need in my community,
Rochester.
                                         powerful and inspiring.”                                change the world,” said Sister Betsy      and in some of my members,” said
   “I’m here for my mom and dad,”
                                            Sonya Flowers, president of                          Van Deusen, director of community         volunteer Pamela Malone, NYSUT
said the driver of one car waiting
                                         Albany Public School United                             partnerships for Catholic Charities.      Board member and Empire State
to get food at the snow-covered
                                         Employees, stood in solidarity at                       The food and mobile van outreach          College chapter president for UUP,
Saratoga County Fairgrounds. “For
                                         a drive-thru food pantry that she                       has been setting up 10 events a           the SUNY higher education union
them to even ask, it’s a big thing.”
                                         helped set up at the Albany Labor                       month in a 14-county region — up          for faculty and professional staff.
   The Saratoga event fed 450
                                         Temple with NYSUT. More than 100                        from one a month — providing              “Labor is always ready to help the
families. The next drive-thru, held
                                         of her members have been laid off:                      resources for health care, case man-      community.”
at NYSUT headquarters, fed 900

                                                                                                                                                                                       PHOTOS: ANDREW WATSON
                                         home-school coordinators, mainte-                       agement, unemployment and more.
families — many of them out-of-work
educators and school staffers.           nance workers, teaching assistants
   A local school bus driver who was
                                                    Union-sponsored drive-thru food pantries
without her job from March until                   help feed hundreds of families. Left, NYSUT
                                                     President Andy Pallotta prepares boxes
                                                   for donation. Far right, NYSUT Second Vice
                                                   President Ron Gross loads food into a trunk
                                                         during a NYSUT food drive-thru.

                                                                                                                                                                       EL-WISE NOISETTE

8|   January/February 2021                                                                                                                             Official Publication of NYSUT
New day for public education - INSIDE One of our own President-elect pledges to put an educator at helm of U.S. DOE | 4 - NYSUT
[ SOCIAL JUSTICE ]

                       Multicultural leaders discuss
                        next steps post-election
By Kara Smith                                                                                                                                                             people and we can’t
kara.smith@nysut.org                                                                                                                                                      have another lost year for
                                                                                                                                                                          students,” he said. “Our

W
               e showed up. We voted.                                                                                                                                     young people were out
               Now what?                                                                                                                                                  all summer — and those
                  The questions were                                                                                                                                      folks voted for change.”
the focus of a December “Many                                                                                                                                                 As the smallest ethnic
Threads, One Fabric” event, the third                                                                                                                                     group within the multicul-
in a series of NYSUT and AFT virtual                                                                                                                                      tural coalition, Cournoyer
town halls exploring racial justice,                                                                                                                                      asked for continued
diversity and equity issues. In the                                                                                                                                       inclusion for Native
wake of the November general elec-                                                                                                                                        Americans.
tion, which saw historic voter turnout                                                                                                                                        “Invite us to the table,
in communities of color, panelists                                                                                                                                        and include Natives in
discussed how to use that political                                                                                                                                       your fight and advocacy,”
capital to improve the lives of multi-                                                                                                                                    she said noting that the
cultural citizens.                                                                                                                                                        challenges those com-
    Moderated by Lezli Baskerville,                                                                                                                                       munities face — health
president and CEO of the National                                                                                                                                         care and economic and
Association for Equal Opportunity                                                                                                                                         educational inequity
in Higher Education, event panel-                                                                                                                                         — mirror those of other
ists included Sindy Benavides, CEO,                                                                                                                                       minority groups. “It’s ex-
League of United Latin American                                                                                                                                           citing to look outside our
Citizens; Diana Cournoyer, executive                                                                                                                                      Native nation — let’s help
director, National Indian Education                                                                                                                                       each other.”
Association; Fedrick Ingram, sec-                                                                                                                                             Wong believes that
retary-treasurer for the American                                                                                                                                         the best way to heal the
Federation of Teachers; and Kent                                                                                                                                          nation after four years of
Wong, director of the UCLA Labor                                                                                                                                          division is to envision a
Center and vice president of the                                                                                                                                          multiracial democracy
California Federation of Teachers.                                                                                                                                              based on the values
    J. Philippe Abraham, NYSUT                                                                                                                                                  of economic and
secretary-treasurer, whose office                                                                                                                                               social justice. “The
                                                Panelists from across the country discuss how communities of color can use their political capital to improve                   multiracial coalition
handles social justice issues, wel-
                                                conditions for citiziens who too often feel disenfranchised. Visit nysut.org/socialjustice to learn more about the
comed panelists.                                                                                                                                                          scored a tremendous
                                                union’s social justice initiatives.
    “We knocked on doors, we phone                                                                                                                                  victory,” he said. “Now we
banked and we made our voices                                                                       can’t be what we can’t see. We need                             need to collectively celebrate
                                         Baskerville, noting that in communi-
heard,” said Abraham. “The question                                                                 more leaders who represent our                          and    build on what that means for the
                                         ties of color, one in four children face
is how do we as unionists sustain                                                                   communities.”                                           country.   We  need to lift up the hopes
                                         food insecurity and unemployment
those efforts, to advance the rights                                                                   Ingram called for harnessing the                     and aspirations of all people of color
                                         continues to rise.
of workers and immigrants and to                                                                    energy of young activists to keep the                   and conscience and organize toward
                                            “We need a stimulus pack-
advocate for social justice.”                                                                       pressure on lawmakers, and adopt-                       a future grounded in our common
                                         age, not just testing and vaccines,
    The COVID-19 pandemic drove                                                                     ing a national approach to COVID-19,                    values.”
                                         because people are struggling,”
voter turnout. “It brought the           said Benavides. A real solution for                        including a blueprint for keeping
inequalities in health care, econom-     immigration and diverse cabinet ap-                        schools open safely. “The piecemeal
ics and education to the fore,” said     pointments are also important. “We                         strategy isn’t fair to the American

www.nysut.org                                                                                                                                                      January/February 2021        |9
New day for public education - INSIDE One of our own President-elect pledges to put an educator at helm of U.S. DOE | 4 - NYSUT
[ OUR SRP S ]

                       Getting to know ... Mary Smith
                                                                              Mary Smith is a food service worker and                   How do you make a difference?
                                                                           member of the Syracuse Teachers Association.                    I feel I make a difference because we are some
                                                                           She was interviewed by Mark Warner, a Unit 8 SRP             of the first people the students see and interact
                                                                           Director with the Syracuse TA and a member of the            with as they start their day. We provide the nutri-
                                                                           NYSUT SRP Advisory Committee.                                tion and a smile that will start the day off on the
                                                                                                                                        right foot and a full belly to help them stay focused
                                                                           Tell me about your job and why you love                      throughout the day. COVID-19 has affected me in
                                                                           what you do.                                                 a few ways, including having my extra hours cut.
                                                                              I work in the kitchen prepping, preparing and             This not only affects me financially, but I miss the
                                                                           serving food to the students at the Syracuse Latin           face-to-face interaction with the students and be-
                                                                           School.                                                      ing assured that they are getting the hot meals and
                                                                              I love my job because I love to feed people.              nutrition they need and require. This is so much
                                                                           Nutrition plays a very important part of the                 more than a job for me.
                                                                           students’ learning experience. I feel I provide a re-
                                                                           source to the children to help them learn and grow           What do you do outside of work?
                                                                           to their fullest potential. One of my biggest joys is          My community involvement comes from me
                                                                           that I can watch them grow from kindergarten to              working with my own children. We are involved in
                                                             MARK WARNER

                                                                           graduation.                                                  cheerleading, marching band and Girl Scouts.
                                                                              I am a proud member of my union and support                 My favorite hobbies are cooking, baking and
                                                                           my brothers and sisters whenever I can.                      spending quality time with my family and friends.

                                                                                                                                               Christine_Sartory @oceansidereads
                                                                                                                                               Talk about hidden heroes? Happy SRP Day to the
                                                                                                                                               OUTSTANDING Tech Department. Eileen Malin is
    School-Related Professionals were                                                                                                          out on assignment. #srprecognitionday #srpsrock
                                                                                                  Ashleigh Wilson @AWilsonESM
honored on Nov. 17, New York State                          Don Carlisto, president,              “Muffin’ to do but appreciate you!”
School-Related Professionals                                 Saranac Lake Central                 Thanks to our amazing School
                                                             Teachers Association:                Related Professionals that play a vital
Appreciation Day, with giveaways,
                                                             “Teachers and SRPs                   role at PG! #esmPGproud #grateful
magnets, posters and treats. Here are                       helped colleagues in                  #SRPRecognitionDay @npetranchuk
a few highlights from the celebrations                   the bus garage who had to                @spkowalski @peaceandcrunchy
and some examples of SRPs’ hard work         quarantine after a worker had a positive             @PineGroveLib Orange heart Blue
going above and beyond in response           COVID test. A call for volunteers went               heart
to the COVID-19 pandemic:                    out to help deliver meals on delivery
                                             day for about 175 families, including
                                             the delivery of about 40 turkey dinners.
            Chris Horstman,                  Without transportation staff, this delivery
               president, Ithaca                                                                                                                              Jon Hickey @jhickey62
                                             was only possible with volunteers and
               City School                                                                                                                                      Thank you to all of our School
                                             use of their own personal vehicles.”
               District Employees                                                                                                                               Related Professionals. Not a
               Association, bus                                                                                                                                 single school would be open
            driver:                                Hilda Monfredo, SRP EVP,                                                                                    right now without these dedicated
“We make sure that students                           Western Sullivan United                                                                               members. They are our frontline
have a meal no matter what. We                        Teachers and School-Related                                                              workers & usually don’t get the thanks and respect
have made sure students have                          Personnel:                                                                               they deserve. #ThisShouldBeMoreThanOneDay
materials they need for virtual                      “For our hybrid schedule,                                                                 #SRPRecognitionDay #nysutsrp
learning, and we do not see it                    teacher aides call students on the
slowing down. Bus drivers and            days they are not scheduled to come in to                                   Andre L Mathis @amathis87
bus aides — working between              make sure they are OK, and to see if they                                   “As much as it takes a village to raise a child. It takes All Staff to educate
bus runs and on weekends —               have problems with their assignments. Our                                   a student. Happy #SRPRecognitionDay to my fellow SRPs. Thank you for
accomplish this task.”                   TAs speak to all the students who are fully                                 your dedication and commitment to making your district just a little bit better.”
                                         remote daily and help them with questions                                   #SRPsRock @nysut
                                         and problems.”

10 |   January/February 2021                                                                                                                                           Official Publication of NYSUT
[ TEACHING & LEARNING ]

 Higher ed unions committed to finding solutions
By Ned Hoskin                                    crisis, especially the community col-                              in November. SUNY raises were de-                   autonomous locals have been shar-
ned.hoskin@nysut.org                             leges,” said NYSUT President Andy                                  layed in September and October.                     ing strategies as they negotiate with
                                                 Pallotta. Gathering SUNY officials,                                    “Attempting to balance the                      their employers. Most of the locals

T
          he budget stinks, and                  local college presidents and labor                                 budget on the backs of modestly                     have reached agreements, she said.
          everybody knows the                    leaders from the campuses is invalu-                               paid public employees is a losing                      At SUNY four-year campuses,
          budget stinks,” said recently          able. “Things have changed, and                                    fiscal strategy, and a cruel one,” said             United University Professions has
appointed SUNY Chancellor Jim                    with labor and management working                                  Professional Staff Congress President               released spring semester safety
Malatras, laying it on the line as               together, we present a unified mes-                                Barbara Bowen. The state has failed                 guidelines to stem the spread of
more than 50 stakeholders met for                sage to policymakers,” he said.                                    to increase revenue by taxing the                   coronavirus once classes restart in
NYSUT’s annual community college                    The threat of 20 percent funding                                ultra-rich, she said, “preferring                   February.
summit to prepare for the upcoming               cuts this winter loom large, if more                               instead to shift costs to workers.” PSC                “Our report offers the strongest
legislative session.                             funding cannot be secured. It may                                  is demanding that the chancellor                    possible set of guidelines for SUNY
   “I think we can all unite in the              be impossible in the spring to avoid                               rethink his plan.                                   to keep students, faculty and staff,
theme that we need more federal                  departmental cuts and larger classes.                                  At the December summit, Roberta                 and surrounding communities safe,”
aid,” he said.                                   Previous delays of 20 percent this                                 Elins, president of the United College              said UUP President Fred Kowal. “The
   Participants agreed that federal              year have already caused cuts and                                  Employees/Fashion Institute of                      recommendations are built upon
pandemic relief is long overdue, but             disruptions.                                                       Technology, discussed the impor-                    lessons learned from the fall semester
that recovery will require enhanced                 Meanwhile, in New York City,                                    tance of reaching agreement with                    and the excellent work that SUNY has
revenue at the state level, as well.             the City University — which earlier                                each community college’s adminis-                   done since the arrival of Chancellor
   “New York has been hit very hard              laid off 2,900 adjuncts — failed to                                tration on campus COVID-19 testing.                 Malatras.”
by the pandemic and the economic                 honor a contractual pay increase                                       Elins said CC union leaders for the

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www.nysut.org                                                                                                                                                                    January/February 2021   | 11
[ TEACHING & LEARNING ]

                                           An unexpected group questions
    NYSUT joins call for more
  student teacher placements
                                               teacher rating this year
      New York State faces an ongoing      By Sylvia Saunders                       prioritizing student well-being,            accept variance applications for the
  teacher shortage. To boost the           sylvia.saunders@nysut.org                teacher wellness and family engage-         rest of the school year.
  teacher preparation pipeline, NYSUT                                               ment in the 2020–21 school year.               Districts will still have to follow
  joined the Conference of Big 5

                                           W
                                                                                       At recent Board of Regents meet-         state law on minimum APPR require-
  School Districts, the New York State                     ith the pandemic
  PTA and the School Administrators                                                 ings, State Education Department            ments. However, many district plans
                                                           upending every aspect
  Association of New York State                                                     officials acknowledged that many            currently require more. Variances
                                                           of education, one of
  in a December push for districts                                                  school districts are concerned about        could temporarily include: reducing
                                           the pioneers of a nationally known
  to provide more student teacher                                                   teacher evaluations because they            the number of observations (if more
                                           teacher evaluation system suggests
  opportunities.                                                                    use state assessments to measure            than two are required); revising the
      Student teacher placements are       this is not the year to be focusing on
                                                                                    the student performance category            student performance measure; and
  in short supply since many schools       teacher ratings.
                                                                                    for Annual Professional Performance         changing unannounced observa-
  offer only remote learning or hybrid         “Teachers need support, not
                                                                                    Reviews.                                    tions to be announced. Variances
  instruction due to the coronavirus       scores,” says The Danielson Group,
  pandemic.                                                                            The board has not yet decided            must be approved by SED and in
                                           explaining why its remote teaching
      “Student teaching is a manda-        guide includes no teacher evalua-
                                                                                    whether state assessments will be           compliance with Education Law.
  tory path to teacher certification                                                held this year but have made it clear          The Regents and SED do not have
                                           tion rubric. “Now is not the time to
  in New York State,” said Jolene                                                   that if any tests are administered, they    the power to halt APPR this year. That
  DiBrango, NYSUT executive vice           be thinking about how to evaluate
                                                                                    must be in-person in school build-          would require an Executive Order
  president. “Additionally, student        teacher performance in a new and
                                                                                    ings. Last school year’s state exams        from the governor, or a new state
  teachers can provide crucial class-      fluid context. This moment compels
                                                                                    were canceled due to the pandemic.          law approved by the Legislature and
  room support for teachers during         us to pause and engage in a thought-
                                                                                       To give districts flexibility on APPR,   governor.
  this challenging time.”                  ful reset on our approaches to
      Betty Rosa, interim State                                                     SED is allowing districts to
                                           teacher support.”
  Education Department com-                    While the union and many educa-
                                                                                    use the variance process for
  missioner, and the state Board                                                    COVID-19-related temporary
                                           tors have voiced similar concerns,
  of Regents agreed, issuing a                                                      changes to APPR plans. Any
  December guidance document               this is an unexpected move from The
                                                                                    changes must be locally
  encouraging districts to accept          Danielson Group, whose four-level
                                                                                    negotiated.
  student teachers as a means to           “Framework for Teaching” evaluation
                                                                                       In response to NYSUT
  replace retiring teachers and to ad-     rubric serves as a model for many
  dress shortage areas.                                                             concerns, the Regents voted
                                           school districts across the country.
      The State University of New York                                              in December to continue to
                                           It’s the basis of New York’s HEDI
  anticipates that New York will need
                                           rating system, standing for Highly
  at least 180,000 teachers in the
                                           Effective, Effective, Developing and
  next decade. However, enrollment
  in New York’s teacher education          Ineffective.
  programs has fallen by roughly               “The school year
  50 percent since 2009. The state         ahead will be like
  Teachers’ Retirement System              no other before it
  projects that one-third of the state’s   and, we hope, like
  teachers could retire in the next five   no other after it,” the
  years.
                                           group’s Framework
      Diversity is also a concern. While
  43 percent of students statewide         for Remote Teaching
  are Latinx or Black, just 16 percent     guide’s introduction
  of teachers are. The state Board         says. Referencing
  of Regents released data in 2019         both the pandemic
  showing that more than 200 school        and today’s focus on
  districts statewide do not employ        racial justice issues,
  any teachers of color.                   the guide suggests

12 |   January/February 2021                                                                                                               Official Publication of NYSUT
[ TEACHING & LEARNING ]

       Educators say ‘new normal’
           is not sustainable                                                                                                      ONLINE SAFETY IS KEY
By Sylvia Saunders                         school community tests positive for          Leaders also noted the lack of uni-              With so many hours each day now
sylvia.saunders@nysut.org                  COVID-19.                                formity among districts and schools              devoted to online teaching, learning
                                                                                    is clearly hurting morale. While some
                                                                                                                                     and communicating with students,
                                              The uncertainty is taking its

A
                                                                                                                                     NYSUT reminds members to stay
                                           toll, leaders said. As COVID cases       schools allow educators to teach
           s districts cope with spiking                                                                                             sharp on basic online safety.
           COVID-19 cases and crip-        spiked throughout November and           remotely from their homes, others                    The American Federation of
           pling staff shortages, union    December, a growing number of            require that staff report to school to           Teachers has compiled a list of
                                           schools shifted back and forth be-       stream lessons. “It’s insulting,” said           resources where educators can easily
members urged NYSUT to keep up
                                           tween in-person/hybrid schedules to      one elementary teacher, who must                 access information on cyberbullying,
the pressure for increased safety                                                                                                    privacy, how to protect your identity,
                                           fully remote. Others extended remote     report to her empty classroom.
measures and more social-emotional                                                                                                   and digital citizenship, among other
support for staff.                         instruction into January and beyond.         With so many educators in and out            issues. Visit aft.org/online-safety-
    “The push is to keep schools open         With so many chaotic schedul-         of quarantine and a severe shortage              and-cyberbullying-resources.
— not keep them safe,” said Joanna         ing changes and hybrid versions,         of substitutes, some districts have                  For school social workers who
                                           many members are struggling with         shifted to fully remote because they             may be providing telemental health
Monachino-Orlando, Shenendehowa
                                           childcare issues, said Schenectady       simply don’t have enough staff.                  services, the New York State School
Teachers Association.                                                                                                                Social Workers Association recom-
                                                                                        “I worry that COVID-19 has
    “Teachers are performing miracles                                                                                                mends avoiding social media, person-
at great personal cost,” said Burnt                                                 increased the inequity around the                al cellphones or personal emails to
Hills-Ballston Lake leader Mike                                                        state,” said Benaquisto, whose dis-           connect with students or families. For
                                                                                            trict depends significantly on           more info, visit nyssswa.org/
Mosall. “It’s not sustainable.”
                                                                                                state aid. “Our district went        coronavirus-school-response-
    The two were among many                                                                                                          resources/telemental-health-
who spoke out recently in                                                                         remote because of sav-
                                                                                                                                     school-social-work-services/.
a series of online union                                                                            ings. We also struggle               With many people using Zoom to
meetings, including                                                                                  with the digital divide.”       connect virtually, it’s important to
NYSUT’s Policy Council,                                                                                  The pandemic “has           know how to keep uninvited guests
                                                                                                      also brought to light          out — using a waiting room is recom-
Subject Area committees
                                                                                                      the terrible condition of      mended. Find more tips at blog.
and BOCES Leadership                                                                                                                 zoom.us/keep-uninvited-guests-
                                                                                                     school buildings,” said
Council.                                                                                                                             out-of-your-zoom-event/.
    Clearly moved by the                                                                            Newburgh TA’s Lourdes
first-hand reports from the                                                                        Lopez-Romero. Clarence
field, NYSUT officers said their                                                                TA President Elizabeth            ongoing social and emotional sup-
comments will help shape the                                                                Dunne agreed, asking why the          ports for staff.
statewide union’s ongoing advocacy                                                      state’s ventilation standards are             “Educators are hurting,” DiBrango
with the governor’s office, state legis-                                            more stringent for malls than school          wrote in a blog after the meetings.
lators, the Department of Health and                                                buildings.                                    “Pandemic teaching and learning
State Education Department.                Federation of Teachers President             “The pandemic has also shown us           is hard, exhausting and some days
    “We’re going to keep pushing           Juliet Benaquisto. “It would be a        we need to have something in place            nearly impossible.”
back,” said NYSUT President Andy           little easier if schedules were more     for (staff) burnout,” said Dora Leland,           She said it’s essential for districts
Pallotta.                                  aligned,” she said.                      a Horseheads TA leader and NYSUT              to make social-emotional support
    NYSUT members from around                  Union leaders also urged NYSUT       Board member. ”In the last four               for staff a priority for the new year.
the state shared poignant stories          to advocate for the state to cancel      months, we’ve had members who                 “Educators need time to plan, time
of how difficult it is to keep up with     this year’s Regents Exams and            are sobbing — and they do not feel            to collaborate and time to share how
ever-changing state protocols              grades 3–8 assessments. “We’re half-     supported. Social-emotional support           things are really going,” DiBrango
for COVID-19 — and the varying             way through the year and there are       does not mean shooting us an EAP              said. “They need real help and real
implementation by local school             big differences in how kids are learn-   video to watch.”                              solutions to tackle the challenges
districts. Many voiced concerns            ing,” said North Syracuse Education          NYSUT Executive Vice President            they are facing, so they can be at their
about the wide range of quarantine         Association’s Joanne Thornton.           Jolene DiBrango agreed, noting that           best for the students they care so
policies, testing protocols and a lack     “Teachers and students need to           SED’s reopening guidance clearly              deeply about.”
of notification when someone in the        know; what will finals look like?”       specifies that districts must provide

www.nysut.org                                                                                                                               January/February 2021      | 13
14 |   January/February 2021   Official Publication of NYSUT
[ TEACHING & LEARNING ]

                      Educators share lessons learned on
                          remote/hybrid teaching
By Sylvia Saunders                         chart paper is also invaluable.           approach, including subtitles, im-          “Thank you for that See-Think-
sylvia.saunders@nysut.org                     “Always have a lesson plan in your     ages and multiple screens. If you are   Wonder graphic organizer!” said
                                           back pocket,” Martelli said. “We’re       doing breakout rooms, give clear        Coxsackie TA’s Joshua Pray.

E
          ven the most experienced         in a blended model and we always          instructions on what’s expected.        Kenmore TA’s Mary Lynn Bieron, said
          educators feel like first-year   have to be ready to go (fully) remote         Hassenpflug also urged partici-     teaching remotely can be very isolat-
          teachers this year.              with less than 12 hours notice.”          pants to work through their union to    ing. “Sometimes it’s just nice to see/
   While there’s no teacher’s manual          Newburgh TA’s Kathleen Young, a        advocate for training and raise con-    hear that across the state we are all in
for today’s blended/hybrid learning        physical education teacher, said it’s     cerns. “Know your contract,” he said.   this together!”
environment, hundreds of educators         important to keep social-emotional            During question-and-answer              NYSUT Executive Vice President
from around the state shared practi-       needs front and center — for both         periods, participants talked about      Jolene DiBrango said the union of-
cal tips and support during a series       educators and students.                   the importance of informing parents     fered the free webinars at the request
of free online webinars sponsored by          “Turn off emails at the end of the     if students aren’t working, keep-       of members, who said they needed
NYSUT’s Education & Learning Trust.        day. Set alarms for start and finish      ing grades up to date and ensuring      practical training they could use
   “Some days are more about sur-          times,” Young said. “Be patient with      school counselors are in the loop.      immediately. “These sessions really
vival than academic achievement,”          yourself and the students.”               Participants shared dozens of online    filled a critical need,” DiBrango said.
said Kurt Hassenpflug, an ELA/ENL             The sessions were divided into         tools and resources such as the         “They’ve also served as a power-
teacher and North Colonie Teachers         two parts. In the first session, panel-   Teachers Pay Teachers website,          ful support system. It’s essential for
Association member who served as           ists discussed how to weave struc-        Book Creator and Class Dojo. A          us to lean on each other and share
one of the panelists. “I feel more like    ture and routines into a chaotic day.     group of Long Island science teach-     resources to make the daily instruc-
Sisyphus than Hercules.”                   The second session offered sugges-        ers have created an online collection   tional load a little less challenging.”
   Hassenpflug was one of three            tions for engaging assignments and        of lesson materials for middle school
teachers on the ELT panel who              purposeful formative assessments,         and high school courses.
                                                                                                                                            TECH TROUBLES?
offered a wide range of helpful tips       trouble shooting technology and               Throughout the sessions, partici-
                                                                                                                                              When in doubt, restart
during the sessions in November and        modifying instruction for different       pants used the online chat to share
                                                                                                                                               devices.
December.                                  learners.                                 more suggestions and thank present-
                                                                                                                                 Is it charged? Even if it is, try plugging
                                              To get out in front of that “Wait,     ers for their recommendations.
   Looking for a more effective way                                                                                               it in anyway.
                                           what are we doing?”
to communicate with parents? Use                                                                                                 Hold down the power button longer
loom.com to create quick videos            constant question during                                                               than you think you need to.
explaining assignments. Want to            instruction, Hassenpflug                                                              Try switching the device into airplane
create animated GIFs? Try https://         suggested a                                                                            mode; leave it for a minute, then
gifcap.dev/.                               multi-modal                                                                            switch it out. This resets the Wi-Fi
                                                                                                                                  and Bluetooth radios built into most
   Presenter Kira Martelli, a sixth-
                                                                                                                                  devices.
grade teacher and Massapequa
                                                                                                                                 Have a pre-established plan for what
Federation of Teachers member,
                                                                                                                                  students will work on when WiFi goes
offered helpful tips on staying mobile                                                                                            down or there are tech troubles.
for teachers traveling from classroom
to classroom, such as using an apron,
a backpack and a cart. Stick-on big
                                                                                                                               For more ELT courses and
                                                                                                                               seminars, go to https://
     If you missed NYSUT’s two-part                                                                                            bit.ly/WebBasedTools
 webinar series “Teaching in Blended
& Hybrid Models,” video recordings and
  resources are posted at nysut.org/
    hybrid. You’ll find tech tips and a
   collection of recommended online
     apps, from gamified quizzes to
          actors reading stories.

www.nysut.org                                                                                                                          January/February 2021           | 15
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