Current job title: President and Chairperson / Essex County College Adjunct Faculty Federation
Local: 2222 / United Adjunct Faculty of New Jersey
Union positions: AFTNJ Higher Education Vice President
Founding President/Chairperson of the Essex County College Adjunct Faculty Federation
Vice President of the United Adjunct Faculty of New Jersey
Member of the American Federation of Teachers Adjunct/Contingency Faculty National Caucus
Ad Hoc Committee member for Superstorm Sandy Relief
Essex County College Negotiations Team for Adjunct Faculty at Essex County College
Chairperson, AFTNJ Constitution Committee
My union story: As a child, I witnessed my dad help build the Associated Transit Guild for Metropolitan Transit Authority workers in New York City and my mother was a proud, active member of the New York City AFT during Albert Shanker’s tenure.
I was a practicing counseling psychologist and working as the director of guidance and counseling with the Morristown School District when I was invited to teach a class at Essex County College. I was repeatedly invited to return to the college. I noticed that there were many other working professionals teaching classes in all disciplines. These professionals were credentialed, vetted by the college and taking their part-time assignments very seriously. Their expertise, dedication and time commitments weren’t reflected in their pay, and there were no benefits attached, although there was a high level of responsibility attached to the teaching assignments.
Getting involved with AFT meant that I could help this group of professionals come together, be recognized, respected and compensated for the value they/we bring to the college. I always say, “We practice what we teach.”
Looking ahead: My goals for the next few years include the continuation of our advancement toward the respect and pay equity we deserve. To date, we have achieved legislative movement toward our goals in the state Assembly and Senate, and there is a lot more to do. Looking ahead, I see growth, unity and success in our endeavors.