NEW YORK , April 11, 2008 — Michelle Pancoe, a fourth-grade teacher at Dodge Elementary School in Williamsville, was today awarded the Sandy Feldman Leadership Grant for Emerging Young Women Leaders at New York State United Teachers' 36 th Representative Assembly.
Pancoe serves as vice president for political action, new-member coordinator and Web site coordinator for the Williamsville Teachers Association. She is a graduate of the NYSUT Leadership Institute.
The Sandy Feldman Leadership Grant, which celebrates and commemorates the life of union pioneer Sandy Feldman, was established by Feldman's husband, Arthur Barnes. The $2,000 grant was created to help further the development of emerging women leaders who are dedicated to the principles that Feldman exemplified: unionism, leadership and a commitment to human and civil rights. The annual award is designed to help the recipient further her development as a union leader, helping with expenses such as union activities, training and conferences or to defray costs associated with union involvement.
"Michelle is an outstanding example of what the new generation of NYSUT leaders can aspire to," said NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi. "As an up and coming union activist she embodies Sandy Feldman's commitment and spirit."
NYSUT represents more than 585,000 teachers, school-related professionals, academic and professional faculty in higher education professionals in education and health care and retirees. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.
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