Following her re-election as NYSUT Executive Vice President, Jaime Ciffone thanked delegates for their hard work and support and reiterated the promise she made three years ago to “… stay close to the work. Not just the policy work, not just the legislative work, but the classroom work.” She touched on her visits to classrooms and workplaces in every region of the state and how she brings those important conversations with members to rooms where decisions are being made.
Ciffone also touted NYSUT’s Science of Reading initiative that launched last fall and the glowing reviews from members who completed the course. “The reviews have been better than we could have hoped: participants report having stronger confidence, clearer strategies, and immediate results with students,” Ciffone said. More than 1,500 educators have already completed this course which Ciffone says was designed to bring decades of research — from cognitive science, neuroscience, linguistics and education — directly to classroom practitioners.
Additionally, she highlighted the importance of professional learning led by educators at teacher centers and promised to continue growing NYSUT ELT “to provide meaningful learning that is relevant and desired by our colleagues.”
Ciffone praised the progress being made to transition to STEPs, Standards-Based Educator Evaluation and Professional Support System Plans, from APPR and expand local control over teacher evaluations. “It reflects what we’ve long advocated for: professional respect, collaboration, and authentic growth,” she said.
Now three years into her leadership, Ciffone told delegates she feels more energized than ever and assured them that her mission remains the same to empower educators to be the architects of reform.