Current job title: High School English teacher
Local: North Bergen Federation of Teachers / AFT Local 1060
Union positions: NBFT Executive Vice President
AFTNJ PreK-12 Vice President (2024)
My union story: I teach in the school district I attended, and my high school teacher invited me to a union meeting. Next thing I knew I was the secretary, then VP and local site coordinator for PD in the district. It is important work to represent teachers and advocate for them. Being in the union is having a seat at the table where decisions are made, and I want to be a decision-maker.
Career highlights/achievements: I have a BA in Education and a MA in English from Seton Hall University. I taught 7th-8th grade ELA for 10 years, and for the past 20 years I have been teaching American literature in North Bergen High School.
Besides being executive vice president of my local, I am also the local site coordinator and manage several PD strands for the district. I also mentor new teachers and facilitate an AFT course “Foundations of Effective Teaching” in our district.
Interests/hobbies: I love to travel and learn about other cultures and foods. I am a lifelong learnerand reader.
Looking ahead: As an AFTNJ PreK-12 VP, and I am looking forward to working with the state federation. I’m excited about the growth of AFTNJ as a voice for teachers.