Immigrant educator of immigrant students named 2019 Teacher of the Year
Alhassan Susso, a visually impaired Bronx high school teacher and UFT member who came to this country from West Africa, was introduced by the Board of Regents as the state's 2019 Teacher of the Year.
Responding to union activism, the Regents also backed off on penalties on schools with high opt-out rates. On Capital Tonight, NYSUT's Jolene DiBrango talks about how the opt-out movement and NYSUT activism scored the big win.
(Photo: Above, Susso, second from the right, is with finalist William Green, a Bronx chemistry teacher; Regents Chancellor Betty Rosa; NYSUT EVP Jolene DiBrango; and finalist Rachel Murat, a Maine-Endwell High School social studies teacher.)
New law significantly improves protections for SRPs
A new, union-backed law provides the same due process protections for many NYSUT members who work in transportation, food service, buildings and grounds and other titles — known as "labor class" employees — that have been provided for other employees under Section 75 of civil service law.
This goes a long way toward resolving the inequities in the ways these employees have been treated. Previously, they could only receive due process protections through collective bargaining. Now, every single SRP with at least five years of service will have some form of due process.
NYSUT launches 'Take a look at teaching' campaign
"Take a Look at Teaching" is a new initiative to strengthen teacher recruitment efforts and elevate the profession as a whole. The program targets college, middle and high school students; adult career changers; and individuals already working in the education field who might want to become certified teachers.
More news
- Following primary elections last week, NYSUT acted to endorse several primary winners in the Nov. 6 election. ACT NOW! The voter registration deadline for the Nov. 6 election is Oct. 12.
- Local unions and individuals can contribute to assist members affected by Hurricane Florence through the NYSUT Disaster Relief Fund.
- Regents' Early Childhood Committee issues final recommendations, including call for mandatory full-day kindergarten.
- Registration for the next round of NYSUT ELT courses -- including many online offerings -- closes in early October.
- Take action now at the NYSUT Member Action Center to urge New York's Senators to stand firm: vote NO on Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court!
- Organize now for October "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer"
- Educators at three institutions, including two in Buffalo, voted this week to unionize and affiliate with NYSUT.
- New free poster celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda. Another highlights NYSUT Union Values! Get yours today!
- Order items from Our Union online store!
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