I'm currently the Reader Services Reserves and Student Coordinator at Binghamton University. It's a service from the Binghamton University Library, which offers students access to textbooks that are required for their classes. If we own a copy, we place it on reserve for students to check out for three hours. This is a cost-saving benefit—college textbooks are pricey—and it’s an equitable way for students to access books.
Before this, I worked as a registrar, helping families update school records or register their children for school for the Union College School District. This is where I gained a love and passion for education. I like to say that when students go on to do great things, I helped them get their start.
As support staff, it's our charge to help make a difference in our schools and institutions of higher learning, as well as within our community. And the union provides a place for us.
About eight years ago, while at the K-12 level, I earned the trust of my colleagues to become co-president, and then later president, of the local union. I hit the ground running—researching and negotiating fair and equitable contracts, leveraging resources from NYSUT, and revising our constitution and bylaws.
The personal connections were important to me, too. I made sure to visit members at their school buildings to hear their concerns and to let them see me, a real person who was reflecting their values at all levels of the organization, from NYSUT to NEA.
Oftentimes, when people hear the word education, they think teachers or administrators. And when districts talk about downsizing, it’s typically support staff who get cut. It's rare for support staff to be recognized and valued. The same could be said at the higher ed level. However, unions see our worth and elevate our status within public education.
The union has been the only place that has opened doors for us to speak directly to lawmakers about what we do for students and schools across the state of New York. How we help schools run smoothly. The work that happens behind the scenes to help teachers and students, as well as college professors and even college presidents thrive. How we live and work in the same community and often know the students and their families—sometimes they’re our family members or neighbors.
I found my worth within the union, and I want all support staff to know their worth, too.
