Ronald Gross was born and raised in the small suburban town of Mastic Beach in Suffolk County, N.Y. After graduating from SUNY Cortland, he taught social studies for 30 years at his alma mater, William Floyd High School. Gross served his local union, William Floyd United Teachers, in multiple leadership roles and eventually served as president for more than 11 years. In 2017, Gross was elected as one of the four teacher-members of the NYSTRS Board.
In 2020, Gross was elected to the position of NYSUT Second Vice President. In that role, he oversees the union's Program and Constituency Services department, which encompasses Retirees, School-Related Professionals, Social Services and Healthcare Professionals. Program Services also provides local support in health and safety, advocacy for small or rural locals, and innovative leadership and local development training.
Gross brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to education and advocacy. His three decades in the classroom gave him firsthand understanding of the daily realities faced by educators, and his years leading a local union prepared him to support those who dedicate their lives to students. That foundation in local leadership now shapes his work at the statewide level, where he has prioritized collaboration, inclusion, and building union strength from the ground up.
Under Gross's leadership, Program Services has expanded training opportunities and built leadership pipelines that reflect the diversity of NYSUT's membership. He oversees the Local Action Project, a three-year leadership development program designed to cultivate stronger, more active local unions, as well as the Leadership Institute, which develops promising local leaders. His department coordinates major conferences serving NYSUT's wide range of constituency groups — including School-Related Professionals, BOCES educators, small and rural locals, retirees and Collective Care Teams made up of social workers, psychologists, counselors and nurses. These conferences and programs are critical elements of member engagement, leader training and ensuring NYSUT remains a strong and vibrant union for members of all types and job titles.
Gross has also strengthened NYSUT's focus on health, safety and workplace protections. His department has advanced initiatives on school safety, workplace violence prevention, and professional supports, ensuring that members across all settings have the tools and resources they need. He remains a champion of robust retiree activism as part of our "union for life" philosophy, reinforcing that every member remains an integral part of NYSUT.
Ron.Gross@nysut.org
November 2026