The newly elected president of the American Federation of Teachers, NYSUT's own Randi Weingarten, has outlined an ambitious course as she takes the helm of one of NYSUT's two national affiliates.

"We will build on this union's great tradition of confronting injustice, embracing the excluded, questioning conventional wisdom, challenging the status quo and working 24/7 to improve the institutions where our members work," said Weingarten, president of the United Federation of Teachers, NYSUT's affiliate in New York City schools.

In addition to Weingarten, who continues as UFT president, delegates to the AFT's summer convention in Chicago also elected former NYSUT Vice President Antonia Cortese secretary-treasurer. Lorretta Johnson, a paraprofessional from Baltimore, was elected executive vice president.

A new three-member leadership team also has been elected at NYSUT's other national affiliate, the National Education Association.

President Dennis Van Roekel and Vice President Lily Eskelsen will be joined by Becky Pringle, who won the secretary-treasurer position. They were elected at the NEA's summer convention.

NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi said Weingarten's vision of public schools as community centers in needy communities dovetails with the statewide union's commitment to ending the achievement gap.

In taking office, Weingarten proposed:

• schools that are open all day and offer after-school and evening recreational activities and homework assistance;
• high schools that allow students to sign up for morning, afternoon or evening classes; and
• schools that provide child care, dental, medical and social services help for at-risk children and their families.

"It's a smart way to deliver essential help to children and their families," Iannuzzi said.

At NEA, Van Roekel plans to focus on fostering "the dreams and possibilities of public education" for the nation's children and inspiring members to understand the power of collective action.

"We need to be part of the political process because all of education is defined by it," he said.

Weingarten has served as president of the UFT, NYSUT's largest affiliate, since 1997.

She and Van Roekel both take over the reins from presidents who retired — Ed McElroy at the AFT and Reg Weaver at NEA.

Together, the two national affiliates boast 4.6 million members in education and health care.