I am seeking your endorsement for reelection to the Executive Council of AFT-Oregon as Vice President at Large, where I have been serving since 2021. My focus at the state level is to keep K-12 issues front and center in the primarily higher education environment. Keeping AFT-Oregon united and thriving, supporting our higher ed insitution employees as our students progress from K-12 is also a huge concern. .

Currently, I am employed as the Field Representative of PFSP Local 111. Effective July 1, 2023, I will assume the Presidency of the Union. From 2017 to 2021, I was the Member Benefits Representative, and Union Treasurer since 2018. I continue as a Trustee of the District 1 Health and Welfare Trust.

The largest group of employees our union represent at Portland Public Schools is Paraeducators, who continue to experience on the job injury and inadequate safety protections, low pay, a lack of training, and extreme staff shortages. Among the over 60 other classifications of classified employees we represent are Educational Assistants, School Administrative Assistants, Campus Safety Associates, Community Agents, Library Assistants, Occupational and Physical Therapists, and Sign Language Interpreters, many of whom encounter the same work-related safety and pay issues. Our constant mission is to gain respect for these dedicated employees for the valuable, behind the scenes support work they offer to keep schools running.

My time on the AFT-Oregon Executive Council has been intensely gratifying. I have been particularly impressed with the intense focus of the Executive Board and Council on keeping AFT-Oregon relavant and fiscally strong post Janus and as we experience the ongoing stresses and consequences of the pandemic.