All nominations for positions in the RTA Officers Election 20-21 have been submitted and accepted. The 5 RTA Officer positions are uncontested as are all positions in the following 7 departments: Primary, Intermediate, Junior High, Home Hospital teachers, School Instructors, RRTA, and RPPP. Uncontested candidate statements can be found here.
Ballots will be emailed April 22 to members in the following departments only: Special Ed, Special Services, Per Diem Substitutes and Senior High. Voting closes on May 11 and election results will be reported at the RA on May 18. The results will also be posted on the RTA website.
Candidates for Senior High Department Chairperson
GAVIN BARRY
RTA Office Held/Committee served on
(City-Wide and Building Level)
RTA Building Representative at World of Inquiry School #58 – 10 years’ experience, NYSUT and AFT Delegate, Grievance Committee Member, Building Committee and School-Based Planning Team
Candidate Statement:
I would be honored to serve as the Senior High School Department Chair. I am an RCSD Alumnus and have 13 years’ experience as a High School Teacher and active RTA member. I will focus my energy on improving communication between High School Building Members and our union officers, and organizing to support the needs of all education professionals who serve in our High Schools.
KRISTINE PRICE
RTA Office Held/Committee served on
(City-Wide and Building Level) Senior High Dept. Chair, Health & Safety Committee, Building Committee, Governance Council
Candidate Statement:
I have greatly enjoyed representing senior high RTA members for the past two years and would like to continue in the position. I am proud to be an RTA member and I am passionate about representing our membership. I humbly ask for your vote in the upcoming election.
Candidates for Senior High Department Vice-Chairperson
CORRINE MUNDORFF
RTA Office Held/Committee served on
(City-Wide and Building Level)
RTA Health and Safety Committee 2020-Present, RTA Building Representative 2008-2011 and 2019-Present, Franklin Upper School SBPT 2020-Present, Integrated Arts and Technology HS Project Based Learning Curriculum Writing 2017-2019, East HS SBPT 2008-2011, East HS Small Learning Communities Leadership Team 2009-2010, East HS Small Learning Communities Curriculum Writing 2009-2011
Candidate Statement:
From the start of my career in the RCSD it was apparent to me the vital role RTA plays strengthening the environment in which we are able to educate and foster a love of learning for our students. That is why as a second year teacher I ran for and won election as Building Representative. As Senior High Department Vice Chair I will continue advocate for putting students and teachers first. I will continue to push for changes at the classroom level while still holding those at the top accountable.
RAKIA HARDAWAY
RTA Office Held/Committee served on
(City-Wide and Building Level)
RTA Action Committee Chair; Legislative/Political Action Committee member; Labor Council Delegates; Rochester Coalition to Save Our Schools; Commissioner’s Advisory Council of NYS Teachers
Candidate Statement:
My dedication to students and the union movement is evidenced by my willingness to participate in all of the committees that I serve on.
Candidates for Special Education Department Vice-Chairperson
MEAGAN HARRIS
RTA Office Held/Committee served on
(City-Wide and Building Level)
Candidate Statement:
My name is Meagan Harris, and this is my 18th year as a Special Education Teacher in the Rochester City School District. I have experience with elementary, middle school and high school levels, during both the regular and the extended school year. As a classroom teacher, my roles have included both ICOT and self-contained positions. This is my third year as a Chairperson for the Special Education Department at SOTA, in addition to being a member of the Behavior Intervention Team, RtI, SBPT, and Building Committee. I am currently an RTA Representative for SOTA, and on the RTA Nominating and Elections Committee. I believe the most pressing issues facing our department currently are lack of developmentally appropriate curriculum, explicit training for support staff, and the loss of social emotional supports. As the Vice Chairperson of the RTA Special Education Committee, I would prioritize communication between SPED faculty throughout all buildings.
BRITTANY PALLO
RTA Office Held/Committee served on
(City-Wide and Building Level)
I am currently in my second year as a member of our Building Committee. I have served on several school based committees including a Staff Collaborative Team, Staff Cohesiveness Training, and the Green Team. I have hosted and worked with several student teachers over the years.
Candidate Statement:
Throughout all of the constant changes in the past year we have all demonstrated expertise, creativity, and resilience; relying heavily on collaboration with our colleagues, despite our physical distance from each other. I became a member of the Special Education cabinet last year and have since been striving to make myself a more active advocate for my fellow colleagues while continuing to sharpen my own teaching skills in a 12:1:1 classroom. I am committed to working collaboratively as your Vice Chair to identify issues we all face. My goal is also to come up with realistic and effective solutions
Candidates for Special Education Department Rep.
DELAINA CARRAWAY
RTA Office Held/Committee served on
(City-Wide and Building Level)
Candidate Statement:
My name is Delaina Carraway, and this is my 3rd year as a Special Education Teacher in RCSD. I have experience working as both a general education teacher and Special Education consultant teacher as well a Special Education teacher for students with Autism. I am currently a Union Representative for RISE Community School, in addition to being a member of the RISE Parent Teacher Organization, RISE Phoenix Team (PBIS Team) and Building Committees. Collaboration and communication are two critical components of understanding and relaying member needs. As the Special Education Department Representative, I will not only listen to the concerns of Special Education RTA members but also communicate those concerns with my colleagues in the Special Education Department so that we can make plans to change those things that are not running smoothly and share with others the things that would be beneficial for all.
DANA DELONG
RTA Office Held/Committee served on
(City-Wide and Building Level)
SLC Committee, Crew Committee, Griffin Pride Committee – all #58
Candidate Statement:
I have been a mentor teacher and Nationally Board Certified Teacher for over 8 years. I am currently in my 18th year in the District as a Special Education Teacher. I have taught at #44, Jefferson HS, Freddie Thomas HS, All City HS, and #58 so I am familiar with the District. My experiences have afforded me the opportunity to understand the different classroom settings. I am dedicated and passionate about our students.
Candidates for Special Services Department Chairperson
KRISTEN FRENCH
RTA Office Held/Committee served on
(City-Wide and Building Level)
Candidate Statement:
Within my 19 years as an active member of RTA and a Speech Pathologist in the District, I have been involved in various committees and learning experiences enhancing my professional participation. This includes being a member committees such as SBPT, Academic and Behavioral Intervention Team, Cultivating Anti-Racist Educators, Chair for the Public Engagement and Parent Involvement Committee, and coach for Special Olympics and Girls on the run.
Over the past year I completed Labor Relations coursework including Collective bargaining, Effective Labor Negotiations, and Handling Grievances, which have strengthened my involvement in our union. For the past 4 years, I have been an RTA representative and currently a member of the RTA Nominating and Election Committee and the Legislative Committee.
As chair of the Special Services Department, I would be available for constituents to ask questions and share feedback with the primary goal of increasing active, collective participation in our union.
JULIANNE WISE
RTA Office Held/Committee served on
(City-Wide and Building Level)
Building Rep; Legislative Committee; Delegate to Rochester Labor Council; Delegate to NYSUT RA
Candidate Statement:
I am a dedicated unionist who recognizes our greatest strength is realized when we work in solidarity informed by the collective wisdom of all our members. My union activism has been focused on ensuring political candidates who understand and champion union values are elected into office. I have learned that the most effective representatives listen intently to their constituents to inform their political strategy and then work passionately to achieve it. Effective Special Services Department representation on RTA’s Executive Council requires listening to all the members I hope to represent across numerous tenure areas and then working diligently to ensure our collective voices are at the table at Executive council meetings. I humbly ask for your vote for Special Services Department Chair so we can guarantee the work of RTA includes our important perspectives.
KELLY LALONDE
RTA Office Held/Committee served on
(City-Wide and Building Level)
RTA Co-Chair of the Social Justice Committee. Rep for 5 years at School #58. RTA Health and Safety Committee.
Candidate Statement:
Hi! I’m Kelly and I’d love to be your Special Services Department Chair. I am a High School ENL teacher, with 13 years in the RCSD. I am a proud union Rep and come from a family of unionists and teachers. I will always stand up for teachers and students, especially, in the special subject areas. Those of you who know me know that I am not afraid to speak up and speak out against injustices in our schools, District, and community. I am confident in my ability to bring your concerns to the Executive Council and to work with leadership to strengthen our position in the District. Thank you for your support.
Candidates for Per Diem Substitute Department Chairperson
GEORGE GREVEN
RTA Office Held/Committee served on
(City-Wide and Building Level)
Chairperson, Substitute Unit of RTA, since 2015
Substitute Department Representative, RTA or Substitute Representative, RTA – various years from 1990-2015
Candidate Statement:
During the past year, the uncertainty generated by Covid-19 has led to more questions, problems, and difficult situations with substitute teachers than ever before. I have been happy to answer the tremendous number of inquiries from substitutes, and would appreciate the chance to continue to use my experience to help our members. Whereas my opponent quit the RTA in 2019 and attempted to encourage other members to quit, I have overseen a doubling of membership during my six years as Chairperson. I would appreciate your vote so that I can continue to serve for the right reasons. Proudly, I include the kind words of Adam Urbanski;
“George Greven has earned your confidence in him for his responsible and responsive advocacy for all Substitute Teachers. I endorse him enthusiastically and urge you to re-elect him and his team.”
Adam Urbanski, RTA President February, 2021
CRAIG CHARLES
RTA Office Held/Committee served on
(City-Wide and Building Level)
Candidate Statement:
Nominated for the RCSD 2021 Educator of the Year and have worked for the District since 2016. In 2020-2021 I started working with students remotely and now I am in the classroom four days a week. Having worked with all grade levels in many of the District buildings I feel my broad experience will be valuable relating to any of your issues or concerns.
I have a Master’s degree in education from the University of Rochester. My thesis was on negotiations and I feel I will be able to enhance our contract with additions you would like to see in our contract. One priority would be to stream line payments for extended day and itinerant assignments.
I have a good working knowledge of RTA activities having attended many Representative Assembly meetings and substitute meetings.
I’d like to ask for your support in my run for Department Chair.
Candidates for Per Diem Substitute Department Secretary
JOSEPH GONZALEZ
RTA Office Held/Committee served on
(City-Wide and Building Level)
Secretary – Substitute Teachers Unit (RTA), Representative – Substitute Teachers Unit (RTA)
Candidate Statement:
I look forward to continue working on behalf of all substitute teachers as their union secretary and a representative for the substitute teachers unit of the RTA.
JOYCE LINDLEY
RTA Office Held/Committee served on
(City-Wide and Building Level)
Candidate Statement:
I am happy to accept the nomination for Secretary of our sub union. I have always been a strong supporter of the RTA frequently serving as a building rep. I am consistently and currently involved in the work of our Political Action Committee.
I graduated from Cornell University and have the requisite education degrees (and more) from SUNY, the U of R and Nazareth College.
During this time transitioning from the pandemic protocols I feel our union has an even more important role in supporting all who sun in our city’s schools. Therefore, I am excited to join a team, Craig Charles and Paula Snyder, that I know will work hard and share its experiences to the benefit of all district subs. Sincerely, Joyce H. Lindley
Candidates for Per Diem Substitute Department Rep
PAULA SNYDER
RTA Office Held/Committee served on
(City-Wide and Building Level)
Substitute Chairperson – 27 years, Representative for Substitutes – 29 years, Chairperson of Substitute Negotiating Team – 27 years
Candidate Statement:
“Paula Snyder is a tireless advocate for Per Diem Substitute Teachers. She is dedicated, experienced, and effective.” – Adam Urbanski, President
FYI I initiated “Building Substitutes” for CERTIFIED Substitutes; the 100 day rate; higher pay for: extra periods, extended days, long term assignments, and more! Contracts must be enforced by the grievance process, or they have little value. This is not a “DO NOTHING” Position! Let’s get back on the right track! Vote for Paula Snyder!
JOHN PAPAPIETRO
No statement submitted.