EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
My approach to teaching is to focus on learning, not education. I see education as a power and privilege based word that does not encompass the variety of ways an individual can learn and grow. As an educator, my mission is to provide the means and motivation for individuals to explore, learn, and grow.
As a child, my views on education came from my parents where education was a path to socioeconomic stability, and thus desirable. And while this was not their intended effect, it did not install a love of learning but instead was seen by me as a chore to be completed. My teachers were rigid and adhered to the established curriculum and process. Examples weren’t relevant and coursework didn’t support critical thinking or project based learning. It wasn’t until middle school I was exposed to what learning could encompass and even then it was short-lived.
I enjoy the challenge of finding new ways to share knowledge and get students excited about the process as well as the results. I appreciate when individuals grasp a concept and demonstrate mastery and transformation.
As a result of growing up surrounded by people from a variety of nationalities and backgrounds, we were taught that people were people, regardless of their culture, race, sexual identity, or belief. That upbringing has continued to shape how I approach teaching, by respecting everyone’s differences while trying to find common ground.
As a new teacher, I was scared to challenge the status quo for fear of losing my job but if I hadn’t walked away from teaching high school, I never would have moved in adult education and found other passions: union leadership and advocacy. My current role allows me to speak up for those who need it. I now have the freedom to create learning opportunities and meet people where they are, instead of adhering to an outdated concept of the definition of an educated person.
Since my work primarily focuses on professional development, I want to ensure that individuals have the tools and know-how to learn and then put into practice the skills they need to be successful.
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
– Maya Angelou
LABOR PHILOSOPHY
My approach to activism begins with determining what the underlying causes are and developing a strategy to find mutual resolution. Finding common ground can make the difference between resolution and a long drawn out fight. My ability to separate personal feelings from professionalism is a strength that separates me from others.
I've successfully negotiated multi-million dollar contracts with the City of Boston over my tenure. By focusing on the workers and workplace, I've been able to offer mutually beneficial solutions to problems. Maintaining open lines of communication between the parties allows for out-of-the box ideas. Keeping a mandate of do no harm means thinking long-term about the impacts of decisions.
My focus has always been people first. Understanding the issues allows me to offer support, advice, and advocacy for successful outcomes. Those I've mentored have become supervisors, moved on to other careers, or learned more about themselves and grown. Over the course of 20 years as lead negotiator I've created a successful continuing education program allowing over 10% of the membership to achieve a college degree, added 20% higher paying positions to the bargaining unit, expanded the types of roles by being the first to recognize the role technology would play, and increased salaries equivalent to those requiring degrees.
History has proven that management will not be motivated to do the right thing just because it’s right. Unions aren’t all perfect, but they have done more to bring about equal opportunities and break down class barriers than any other institution.
—Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
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