UUP Cortland Chapter

Every year, the United Association for Labor Education (UALE) sponsors a Northeast Regional Summer School for Union Women Leaders.  This year, the UALE summer school/conference took place at Cornell from July 20^th through July 25th.  Cortland UUP Delegate Michelle Kelly sent information about the school to the statewide UUP officers, suggesting that a UUP delegation would be appropriate. (Photo, left to right: Michelle Kelly, Jen Drake, Anne Wiegard and Colleen Kattau)

As it turned out, three of the four members of UUP’s delegation were from Cortland: Michelle Kelly, Jen Drake, and Anne Wiegard.  The fourth UUP representative was Lori Nash from the Oswego chapter.  Another UUP member from Cortland, Colleen Kattau, participated during the final two days of the five-day session, playing her guitar and singing with Bev Grant, a longtime activist and songwriter.  Music was an integral part of the entire program.  Howard Botwinick, also from Cortland, attended the multi-media labor history presentation on the final night of the summer school, at which Jen Drake and Anne Wiegard performed speaking parts.

The UALE Summer School attracted women from many different unions across the region, from K-12 and higher education to transit workers, day care providers, auto workers, food service employees, county, city and municipal employees, etc..  Each student had pre-selected the “courses” (workshops) she wished to attend: one that lasted four days and two workshops that lasted two days.  Everyone was enrolled in a “Leadership Skills” workshop that spanned five days.  There were several plenary sessions during which all the students had the opportunity to interact.

The UUP participants noted that being able to network directly with women in leadership positions in other unions was perhaps the most valuable aspect of the experience.  Any woman who is interested in exploring her potential as a union leader would definitely benefit from attending next year.  UALE also functions as a clearinghouse for information about all sorts of continuing educational opportunities in the field of labor, from one-day workshops to full-blown graduate programs.

To learn more about the summer school offerings from UALE, visit this website: http://uale.org/womens-schools/upcomingcurrent-classes

Thousands gather by the state capitol Saturday, June 8th calling for a change in the state’s public school system.

Representing SUNY Cortland in pictures above – Left to Right: Nancy Kane, John Fracchia, Rickie McClure, Marc Dearstyne, John Driscoll, Kathy Lattimore, Jen Drake, Dave Ritchie and Bill Buxton.

Representing SUNY Cortland not pictured: Dave Ritchie, Kathy Lattimore, Jamie Dangler, Jo Schaffer, Anne Wiegard, Jim Ramsey, Ben Patrick, Kendal Patrick, Mario Hernandez, Dorothy Troike, Susana Davidenko and Maria Mandolesi.

ALBANY, N.Y. — The message was clear Saturday. The protesters — teachers, parents, students — said they’ve had enough.

“We need to do better. We need to do better for our kids,” said Joe Cantafio from the West Seneca Teachers’ Association.

Cantafio joined thousands from all over the state, calling for changes in the public education system.

“This is about making the Common Core work. More importantly, this is about access, things like quality, and issues like fair and equitable funding,” said Richard Iannuzzi, NYSUT president.

The driving force for many at the Capitol this weekend is the state’s emphasis on standardized testing.

“Students cannot be placed into a number,” said Cantafio.

Students grades three through eight took tests based on Common Core standards in April. Some students said they were not prepared for it.

“A lot of stuff on the tests were stuff I didn’t learn,” said 5th grader, Reilly Malloy.

Some teachers say they did not receive proper guidance from the state on how to implement the Common Core, which the state adopted in 2011.

“I think if the state is going to make demands and ask requirements, you can’t ask local districts to figure out those demands by themselves,” said Iannuzzi.

Teachers will be evaluated based on how students do on these tests. In fact, 40 percent of their evaluation will be based on standardized test scores. It’s a system many say is unfair.

“I can tell you that when you see students interacting in the classroom, that is much more indicative of their learning,” said Katie Ferguson, a 2nd grade teacher in Schenectady.

And, others called for investments in public education, specifically higher education.

“When I started in U. Albany, it was around 50% of the school’s budget came from state support. It’s down to around 18 percent. That’s a scary number,” said Thomas Hoey, vice president of U. Albany Professionals.

“This isn’t only about dollars. Getting it right is what will make the difference,” said Iannuzzi.