Message from President Cordelia Anthony
Dear Members,
With May now midway, the end of the academic year is officially in sight. It is remarkable how quickly the time has passed—it feels like only yesterday we were gathered for Superintendent’s Conference Day, preparing to welcome our students. This year, we can see the year starting to wrap up and our end of year routines starting to play out. Serving as your FFT President gives me a front-row seat to your amazing work. During this month of Teacher Recognition, I want you to know that I see your hard work, your value, and your commitment to our community. Thank you for your tireless dedication to our students, even though I know you are tired.
Since my last Presidents message your elected RA delegates attended the NYSUT RA in Albany. We heard from our NYSUT Officers, elected officials, students and our fellow union members about the importance of public education. We attended committee meetings to work on NYSUTs legislative agenda that is the vehicle behind lobbying for Tier 6 reform, voter approval on charter schools, addressing excessive screen time and more. This was also an election year and the incumbent NYSUT officers re-elected as President, Executive VP, Second VP, and Secretary Treasurer. This team has been all over the state in their tenure as a way to let members from South Hampton to Schenectady know that they hear all viewpoints and work hard to see the worth of each member, whether they are classroom, School Related PWrofessionals, or in healthcare. The push for our lowest earning members that ‘One Job Should Be Enough’ is one such visionary campaign that these leaders have been supporting proudly also the 1 in 5 campaign that focuses on the fact that 1 in every 5 children in NY state lives in poverty is another campaign being highlighted, click here for more information. Our FFT local won a community service award for the help and donations to wonderful causes in this area and on Long Island that we support. Two of our members, Esther Kramer and Janet Dieso also were nominated and won awards for their tireless work in political action and service to their communities. We congratulate them again.
Nationally our union is taking action on the issues most important to Americans right now. From affordability to the attacks on voting rights. At the heart of the American labor movement is the conviction that public education is the great equalizer. We believe and I think the vast majority of our neighbors agree that our schools must be sanctuaries of opportunity. Every child deserves a seat at a desk that is supported by robust resources, modern technology, and the guidance of dedicated professionals. We refuse to accept a tiered system where quality education is a luxury. Whether a family earns a little or a lot, their child deserves the support necessary to reach their highest potential. We are hopefully all building a future where every student, regardless of their background, has a clear path to success.
